General Car not starting - Airbag Failure warning

[jjr0305]

Alright. I've got a 1.4 GP Sporting. 06 plate.

It's been starting fine all through the winter so far, but this morning it wouldn't start at all.

When I turn on the ignition, all of the usual things work such as the lights and wipers etc, however it won't actually start. It tries to tick over and the belt on the starter motor moves a bit, and it makes some fairly odd noises.

The error message on the dash I get is Airbag Failure Refer to Manual.

I've heard some people have had this display when the battery is on it's way out? It's the original battery, but as I say I've had no bother so far with it.

I can't even get it out my garage to try to jump start it, as the wheels won't turn.

Any idea what it could be?

 

[keat63]

Some pretty poor diagnosis there JJR.

Tick over, is when the engine is running at 750 rpm and you have no throttle applied (when you pull up at a junction etc).
I assume you mean it's trying to crank over.

Starter motors don't have belts, so I assume you're talking about the Auxiliary belt moves a little when you try to start it.??

Based on this, I'm going to assume that the battery has gone.
They generally give some indication of pending failure, but can fail without warning.

Lights and wipers may still work, as these require much less power than the starter motor.

As for getting it out of the garage to jump start it.
You sure you've not left it in gear or left the hand brake on ??

Failing that, stick a battery charger on it over night, this might just get it started so you can go down to Halfords and have it checked out.

 

[jameshobiecat]

Given that the alternator belt is making odd noises, it might also be that the alternator has failed. Have you got the modified scuttle drain tube? If not the scuttle drains on to the alternator.

 

[jjr0305]

I think I've got it sorted.

Aye I know my diagnostics are poor. Haha. I don't know a great deal about the workings of cars to be honest. However I did know there's no belt on the starter motor, but I have no idea why I wrote that. I was in a hurry and on my phone, whilst cursing the car for not working

Since posting, I've found this video:

My car was basically doing the same thing as that.

I ended up leaving the car for the day with the battery unhooked. I hooked it back up around 9-10 hours later and it fired up no bother. Next day I took it to get the battery tested, and found out that it's lost a quarter of it's capacity. The battery is 7 years old, so it's done a hell of a lot more than what's expected of it. I also had the alternator tested and was told it's working fine and charging the battery, thankfully.

Is the battery issue the likely cause of the airbag failure message, or could that be a separate issue?

As for the battery, I'm going to get a Bosch S4 as I can get it for £45 new. Unless someone has a better idea?

Thanks for the replies by the way

 

[rayrayli88]

I think I've got it sorted.

Aye I know my diagnostics are poor. Haha. I don't know a great deal about the workings of cars to be honest. However I did know there's no belt on the starter motor, but I have no idea why I wrote that. I was in a hurry and on my phone, whilst cursing the car for not working

Since posting, I've found this video: Grande Punto Engine Start Up Issue - YouTube

My car was basically doing the same thing as that.

I ended up leaving the car for the day with the battery unhooked. I hooked it back up around 9-10 hours later and it fired up no bother. Next day I took it to get the battery tested, and found out that it's lost a quarter of it's capacity. The battery is 7 years old, so it's done a hell of a lot more than what's expected of it. I also had the alternator tested and was told it's working fine and charging the battery, thankfully.

Is the battery issue the likely cause of the airbag failure message, or could that be a separate issue?

As for the battery, I'm going to get a Bosch S4 as I can get it for £45 new. Unless someone has a better idea?

Thanks for the replies by the way

Oh that video makes me shudder...

...new battery mate, mine had similar issues. new battery sorted it out
still got a few niggles though

 

[keat63]

I've heard tales of the battery causing all sorts of weird and wonderful errors, including the airbag light.
Not sure of fitting a new battery will clear this though.
You might need to find someone with MES for this..

 

[f1avio]

I had the same problem with my car. Did the exact same thing. New battery fixed it.

However if you're looking for a fix now. Jump start it and leave the engine running for a while so the battery charges a little. Then it should start.

 

[Andy Monty]

If a battery is that flat the alternator will not fully recover a flat battery...... it needs a decent slow pulse charge at about 4 ah to try and desulphate and charge the battery...


then again i go by the school of thought that if its died once it will die again (unless it has been caused by say leaving the lights on)