Help!!..my E30's not starting boohoo!

[harj]

Guys (and gals),

I drove the E30 on NY day and when I parked up outside my house I noticed a ticking noise as I was walking to the front door..it was an unusual tick but I didn't think nothing of it..

Anyhoo, I've tried starting the car now and when I turn the ignition the car is not starting but there is a ticking noise (and it's quite loud)..I thought it might be the battery but it seems to get quicker the longer I leave the ignition on..besides, all the lights are coming on so it can't be the battery..

Any ideas what it could be?

[stonesie]

What engine is it?

And what does it do? when you turn the ignition on and then turn the key to start?

[harj]

Its a 318 mate (auto)

When I turn the key it doesnt turn on just makes that ticking noise..I would have suspicions of the battery going but then the lights are all working and the ticking seems to speed up the longer I leave the key turned..

[Rav335uk]

Battery, check your teminals and check the state of the battery, justs needs to be charged up by the sounds its making, its probably the starter motor.Not enough charge to turn it over.

[harj]

^^ U think so Rav?

I would've thought that a low battery would mean the ticking would slow down? When I leave the key in, it just seems to speed up?

[harj]

Cheers Rav- seems like it was the battery after all!

I just tried turning on the lights and they wouldn't come on..so the batterys on charge now!

[warner325]

for how cheap batterys are these days just buy a new one as the cold weather as probably killed the sells in the old one!!!!!

scott

[Rav335uk]

Cheers Rav- seems like it was the battery after all!

I just tried turning on the lights and they wouldn't come on..so the batterys on charge now!

No probs Harj, had the same on mine every winter as the cab stands most of the time due to me using the van to go about in, can leave that thing anywhere overnight , try leaving a cab in the middle of town, would definitly get trashed by some pissheads