[solved] 2009 C30 T5 Starting Problems

MattC

I bought a C30 T5 R-Design last year with 83,000km on the clock. Up until last Monday, it had been very fast, comfortable and very reliable.

However, I went to start it on Monday and all the dashboard lights came on, the radio came on but the engine was dead. There was a click when I turned the key to the start position. And occasionally the dashboard lights would fade when this happened.

Anyway, I connected it to a charger yesterday, left it for a few hours and it started without fuss. Left it overnight and started it in the cold this morning no problem.

Took it for a one hour drive and it was faultless - and a lot of fun - went to restart and the problem returned.

Any ideas?

Philia_Bear

Battery is failing or or one of the battery terminals (at end of battery cable) is bad

MattC

Not a big deal?

Philia_Bear

Easy to test both

MattC

Terminals Spark when the charger is connected. Battery held charge overnight, which is why I'm confused. Battery does charge when connected. I read on about faulty ignition barrels. I just hope it's something simple?

Ex850R

Clean battery terminals.
Get battery checked by battery shop.

timbo

There is a common fault with the steering column lock on these models, although its usually accompanied by an immobilizer message in the lcd display on the dash.
There have also been a few revisions of the start control unit (the ignition switch). If you get the fault codes read it should point you in the right direction.
But first things first get the battery load tested

jamesinc

I am throwing my 2 cents in that the described symptoms exactly match a low available current scenario, which may indicate a failing battery. How old is the battery?

Ex850R

jamesinc;109034 wroteI am throwing my 2 cents in that the described symptoms exactly match a low available current scenario, which may indicate a failing battery. How old is the battery?

Possibly original from 2009.
I imagine these modern cars are hard on batteries, just get a new quality one and go from there.
Batteries aren't very long lived it seems.

MattC

Hey guys, thanks for your help. Changed the battery and she's good as gold!