Push starting

lostdude, Sep 27, 11:51am
Just a Q regarding a starting problem. Car is a 97 Daihatsu Pyzar, 1.6 manual. Car won't start and cranking is very slow. Tested battery & it's flat so charging it now. It doesn't seem to be holding voltage so I will get another. Starter was repaired a month ago.

The question I have is would it still be the battery even though I tried to push start it to no avail! It just stops when attempting to push start, no matter the speed.

TIA.
chebry, Sep 27, 12:31pm
Not enough voltage to run the ignition
mrfxit, Sep 27, 12:43pm
#1: Battery & starter cable connections can "Appear" to be ok but are faulty.
Had that myself personally on different vehicles.

Only REAL way to know for sure is to temp swap over battery cables for another "Known good" set & use a starter jump switch to activate the starter.
Voltage & amp drain/charge tests are NOT 100% reliable tho do often point to fairly clear issues

#2 could be any one or several issues including blocked fuel filter/ jets/ injector pump failing/ plugs/ coils etc etc

A previous history & engine model could help
thewomble1, Sep 27, 1:10pm
If fitting a new battery get the alternator checked. correct charge, new battery.hopefully problem gone.
unbeatabull, Sep 27, 5:10pm
Easier way is just to check voltage from +ve of battery to +ve on starter while cranking, should read 0V, anything over about .5V is too much voltage loss. Then same from -ve of starter to -ve battery, same story, while cranking, shouldn't be any higher then .5V. Easiest way to check for dirty connections or voltage loss in the cables. If you do get a high reading, you can start doing pinpoint tests to narrow down the area, eg from -ve starter to -ve earth strap on chassis etc

Next test would then be doing a current draw test while battery cranking. Starter shouldn't draw any more then 60-80 amps, some cars are higher but that's a bit of a generalisation.

I'd be checking the alternator, if the battery isn't charged when the engine turns over the alternator should provide the voltage for ignition to work.

Otherwise, yeah could be anything else, Fuel, Air, Compression, Timing, Spark. check the FACTS ;)
lostdude, Sep 27, 8:00pm
New battery did the trick.

Thanks for all the tips though, much appreciated :)
jenny188, Sep 27, 8:46pm
begs the question. had the battery reached its best by date, or has the charging system failed! Guess it will depend if the problem resurfaces in 6 months time
mrfxit, Sep 28, 7:00am
LOL yep been there done that, which is why I posted the advice above.
2 totally different vehicles in the last 3 years, same result for differentvariations of reasons
lostdude, Sep 28, 4:05pm
I think it may have just been the battery reaching its use by date. Water levels were very low. Car seems to be behaving normally now & if the alternator does fail, I've got a spare ready for it ;)

Cheers