Question-------------------------
Followup To Followup Question - O.K., So I bought a new battery and at first nothing seemed to happen. Out of shear frustration I kept turning the key and I actually got a crank out of the starter. So I kept turning the key off, then to start and I'd get it to turn over a few more cranks. Eventually the engine started and I noticed the battery gauge resistering about 14 V (is that normal?).
The big problem now is that I have a "clinking" noise (sounds tapping on a metal casing with a small hammer) with the engine running. It speeds up and slows down witht he revs of the engine. My thoughts immediately turned to a bad water pump bearing. But then I thougt this might possibly be related to my starting problems. Is this an indication of a malfunctioning armatuer on the starter motor (and maybe that the starter motor itself or the connections to it) is probably the source of all of my starting problems?
-------------------------
Followup To Question - Thanks! I'll replace the battery first thing and see what happens and then check the alternator.
So how do you totally disconnect (eliminate)the security system in a 164L? The unit in the trunk was turned off with the key, but I assume it could still draw power. I found a cable harness to the unit and disconnected it, but the horn still goes off soon after I do that. Are there some hidden wires to the unit I can't see without removing the unit? Does it have its own battery back up inside the unit? Should I separate the wires I twisted togethter in place of the corroded fuse holder for the security system?
Hi -
My 16 year old daughter was driving her 91 Alfa 164L (with 210K miles on it) when it just died on her and would not restart. I tried to jump start it both from the battery in the trunk and from the block on the firewall, but nothing. When I turn the key (with or without jumper cables attached), all I get is the constant clicking. If the security system is turned on it chirps along with the clicking as well. I thought that "clicking" meant it was a bad battery, but I also would have thought it still would have started with a jump even with a dead battery.
I also disconnected the negative cable from the battery (thinking it might reset a confused security system that may be preventing the car from starting), but that did nothing. So we towed the car home behind my truck.
The only thing that had changed in the last couple of months was that I turned on the security system and put a new battery in the remote so my daughter could lock & unlock the doors without the key. That was about a month before this event, so I'm not sure if that's related or not. I did find out after the fact that the previous owner did have some issues with the security system and had turned it off because of that.
When I got the car home, I did some more checking and tried a few more things including charging the battery, trying to jump it again, and looking for ways to disconnect the security system (in case that was the problem). I even put another new battery in the remote and tried that with the security system activated, but still nothing. I did find that the fuse for the security system (in the trunk behind the battery) was all corroded and broken. My only option was to cut out the fuse holder altogether and twist the copper wires together as a temporary measure. But that did nothing. Is this a grounding issue or something gone bad in the electrical system or a bad battery or ?
I hate to have this car towed to the Alfa dealer only to find out it was something I should have figured out and could have fixed myself. Any thoughts on what's going on here?.
Answer -
It would seem that the battery completly discharged. You need a volt meter to test--a fully charged battery has 12.66 volts.
The clicking indicates that the battery is still soaking up a charge and there is none left for the starter. The drain very well could be in the security system. Completely eliminate the security system. The only anti-theft device that really works is a hidden kill switch.
Once you get it started you may find that the alternator is not charging the system.
Also, clean the grounds on car and both battery terminals.
Answer -
disconnecting the wires is a good start. I have no schematic for that system. I will see what I can find.
By the way--train your daughter to check the gauges frequently and to take red lights seriously.
Answer14 volts is normal with the engine running. It means the alternator is working.
You may have an engine that was driven with low coolant and it froze while driving. You need a good mechanic to check out the possibilities because it could be very serious damage or only a bad starter or ignition switch.
