Need some advice re my car - would be grateful for any help!

[sunnysunsun123]

Evening all

Yesterday I got into my car, tried to start it and it wouldn’t start. It’s keyless ignition. I changed the battery in the key and still nothing. Infact I couldn’t even open my car when I put a new battery in the key - I had to put the old battery back in. I am thinking it may be the car’s battery that has gone flat.

I don’t have breakdown cover with my insurance policy.

What would be my best option?

1. buy emergency breakdown cover
2. arrange for someone to come look at it

I am clueless when it comes to fixing cars!

What car is it?

I'd buy a set of jump leads and ask a friend for a jump start.

Also try starting it with the clutch in if you don't already!

I think at least some keyless ignition cars still have keys that you can use if the keyless part is the problem.

Might help if you say what kind of car it is?

Any friendly neighbours? My DH would be happy enough to try to jump start their car if they knocked on the door to ask.

Do you have a spare key? Try that first.

If that doesn't work then I would say it's something to do with the receiver in the car and you're going to need to get it towed to a garage

Has it been slower to start over the last little while? Or have windscreen wipers seemed to be slower? If it has auto start/stop, had that stopped kicking in at traffic lights? These are all pointers to a dying battery.
Do you have the paperwork from last battery purchase, is it in warranty?

With keyless start you will have somewhere to place your key in your car to get it to start if there is an issue with the key. If it doesn't start when the key is in position its a problem with the car, if it starts it is a problem with the key.

In my car the area in under the arm rest.

It’s a Ford fiesta. 65 plate, just under years old.

I don’t think it had been slower to start recently, although perhaps I just haven’t noticed.

I can’t find my spare key annoyingly!

I did consider getting someone to jump start it but then how long does that solve the problem for? I guess I’d just take it to a garage then?

I also tried starting the engine using the key but it didn’t work.

To start the engine I have to put my foot on the clutch and press the start/stop ignition button.

@Cluckycluck yep I searched on YouTube how to start the car without a key but unfortunately it didn’t work.

And then when I to replaced the batteries in the key this morning I couldn’t even open the car! V strange

*supposed to say just under 9 years old

The car won't start if the key isn't responding to the immobiliser, without a spare to try your best bet is to get it looked at.

Did you put the new battery in the right way round? Take the little sticker off the battery? I've done both of them before I realised. Check the simple things first

Or as a PP said try putting the key onto the sensor and try to start it. From memory on my fiesta it was on the steering column

Sounds like you need a new car battery.

Hold they key agsinst the steering column (where you'd usually insert a regular key on ignition)

Car batteries generally degrade after about 7 years. We get through them like sweets here. 😡

My 11yr old Ford C-Max suddenly wouldn’t start, it was the starter motor, apparently a common fault with Fords

You really do need breakdown cover OP - the time to discover that isn't when you break down! If you add it to your car insurance policy it usually isn't much more.

Or learn how cars work. At least the basics. ;)

@Higglings yes I tried that yesterday but it didn’t work!

so if the car battery needs replacing… how on earth do I get it to the garage?!

Maybe look for a mobile mechanic? Where are you based?

If you have a Halfords in your area, they will come to your home or workplace to fit a battery.

Car Batteries | Halfords UK

It’s exceptionally easy to change most car batteries. You literally disconnect it, remove the bolt holding the battery in place, battery out, new battery in and reverse the above steps. Less than 10 mins. You can get the battery sent to you.

press the horn if that fails, it is your battery
your friendly local garage?
otherwise you might have breakdown cover with your bank perhaps?

You can buy batteries online to fit yourself. Perhaps buy a battery charger as well.

You also need to get breakdown cover - why don't you have it? It's not that expensive as part of overall running costs and can save so much hassle. The cheapest option is Autoaid, £57 a year for full cover including home start.

In this case, they'd have come, started your car, but also checked whether it's likely the battery or alternator that's at fault, so you'd know how to solve the problem.

Fitting a battery is fairly easy but then reprogramming it isn't easy.

Reprogramming what? I've fitted several new car batteries and never had to reprogramme anything