2008 KA Zetec not starting
Thread Starter
Virgin
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
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From: Newport
2008 KA Zetec not starting
My father in law has a 2008 KA Zetec petrol car that he has to sell as he is now 87 and unable to drive. The battery had gone flat and the brother in law attempted to jump start and I think he got the leads the wrong way around. Now its left to me to sort it out.
When you attempt to start all of the dash lights come on but the engine does not attempt to start. The starter does not turn over.
I can see no flashing alarm / imobiler light on in the car but I do not know where it should be to start looking.
I did notice that when you turn the key all the way on the AC light switch light comes on. When you release the ignition swith the light goes out.
I sincerley hope that it is just a fuse or relay blown but could do with a bit of help. Many thanks.
When you attempt to start all of the dash lights come on but the engine does not attempt to start. The starter does not turn over.
I can see no flashing alarm / imobiler light on in the car but I do not know where it should be to start looking.
I did notice that when you turn the key all the way on the AC light switch light comes on. When you release the ignition swith the light goes out.
I sincerley hope that it is just a fuse or relay blown but could do with a bit of help. Many thanks.
Unfortunately it would have caused considerable damage when your brother has connected the polarity incorrectly!
Components like the ECU/other onboard components and very sensitive, to this end this is why even in normal circumstances you need to be very careful when jump starting to prevent power spikes damaging them!
The first mistake you have made in this scenario though, is to try jump starting, when a battery is flat you need to charge it for many hours, I personally hate the idea of jump starting as it's only good on a partially discharged battery, the first thing to do is disconnect the battery and charge it and then try again.
You may have got very lucky and caused no damage.
It's worth checking fuses as well.
Martin
Components like the ECU/other onboard components and very sensitive, to this end this is why even in normal circumstances you need to be very careful when jump starting to prevent power spikes damaging them!
The first mistake you have made in this scenario though, is to try jump starting, when a battery is flat you need to charge it for many hours, I personally hate the idea of jump starting as it's only good on a partially discharged battery, the first thing to do is disconnect the battery and charge it and then try again.
You may have got very lucky and caused no damage.
It's worth checking fuses as well.
Martin
Thread Starter
Virgin
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Newport
I have checked the fuses inside the car to the right of the steering wheel. They seem ok. I hvae noticed 3 PAL type fuses on the positive feed from the battery. Do any of these control the engine electrical system? I hope one of these is the problem.
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