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MG MGF Technical - MGF Won't Start

Hi All,

Have a bit of a problem with the MGF. I'm currently in the US on work and was speaking to my wife who has been driving my F for the past few weeks. Apparently the car had been running great but when she went to start the car this morning, it wouldn't start up.

The car made a "tick tick" noise and the engine wouldn't crank over. Also, when she went to unlock the car, she said the locks sort of laboured to open. I'm guessing the battery is on the way out.

What annoys me is the battery is way less than 2 years old which makes me worry a little.

She's not that car minded so I'm trying to help her remotely. She's going to get the local garage to jump start the car and see if it fires up that way. Probably replace the battery if that's the case.

Anyone ogt any ideas of any other problems it might be?

Many thanks for the assiatance.

Cheers

Sonny
Sonny Foster

The 'machine gun' noise is indeed a flat battery.

Fit a new one as old ones never hold their charge so good after being totally flattened.

Then check the obvious -

are all the lights off? (check the rear view mirror lights especially)

And the not so obvious -
Can you 'super lock' the car, does the alarm randomly trigger?
Will Munns

Sonny, some batteries have 1, 2 or 3 year warrenties. Check it out on the battery.

If the car goes "tick, tick" then the battery is not totally drained, but does need a recharge.

You will need to check the water level in the battery and top up with distilled water.
If you have a standard battery charger (not trickle charge), then disconnect the -ve battery terminal and put it on charge for 24 hrs.
That will give it a good charge.

Is the wife good with a spanner?

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

Hi All,

Just as a follow-up, the problem was indeed a flat battery. The local garage said something about a "specalised" battery being required for the MG-F and charged my wife about $150 Aussie dollars which is about $30-$50 dollars more than you'd pay for an average car battery.

Is there something special about the MG-F battery requirements?

Cheers

Sonny
Sonny Foster

Sonny,
F battries are usually heavier duty as the starting requirements are greater.
Stuart Elliot

Yes, we can see that from the thread!
Spotter

Sony,

If you'd like some info re: batteries, this Bosch PDF lists a battery for the MGF. (and lots of others)

It is BDIN53L, 12volts, 13 plates, 480CA (Crank Amps), Dimensions L246 x W175 x h175 mms, standard terminals etc.

Its a 1.5mg file.
http://apps.bosch.com.au/products/saa/batteries.pdf

$150 seems steep to me. There are heaps of Xmas specials at most battery/tyre places.

Anyway, too late now for prices, as it's already bought.



HTH,
Branko.

Branko

Oh, just another thought..... (ouch!)

The MGF batteries, like many European types, have a lip on the bottom ends so that they can be clamped down without using top clamps.

I modified mine by adding a $5 ordinary battery clamp (needed to drill 2 1/4" holes and cut off excess clamp length) and I can now use most any battery I choose, providing it has the correct orientation terminals and suffient cranking Amps.

Choice and "Variety is the spice of life",

(and a lot less expensive).

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

HI MATE
I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME CLICKING NOISE FROM MY MGF WHICH I HAVNT STARTED FOR 10 DAYS SO WILL BE PURCHASING A NEW BATTERY, ALSO A CHARGER AS MINE SEEMS TO HAVE PACKED UP...!
John Bowler

John,
First buy a hydrometer and check each of the cells specific gravity. Take a note of these. Then get yourself a (working) battery charger and before charging, top up the cells with distilled water to the correct level mark. (The battery ususally has some sort of lip inside, so that when you top it up, it just touchs. it). Charge for about 24 hrs and then do a test with the hydrometer. If the readings are all ok and even, then you may not need to buy a new battery, yet.

Oh, and I always disconnect the neg lead from the battery when doing and external full charge. (not trickle charge)

Cheers,
Branko.
Branko

Battery price should be no more costly than any other 1.8 car should it ?? I paid £28.95 for a heavy duty one about a month ago. Which was the same cost as the wifes battery last year on here 1.8 vectra. mel..
m e johnson

Another thing to consider when the car does not start is the type of driving you do.

Short drives with headlight and windscreen wipers on does not do much for the battery as the alternater probably will not be able to replace the charge which was lost by starting.

I recently had the non starting problem and put it down to short drive and lack of use and an ageing alternator which some time will get checked out.

I went out and bought a charger which has a maintanence cycle on it to keep the battery top up when the car is not used.

Tom
Tom Randell

Solar chargers are cheap from Maplin etc.

P.
Paul Nothard

This thread was discussed between 15/12/2005 and 29/12/2005

MG MGF Technical index

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