The dreaded click

[Szabo]

Been quite a pleasant weekend so thought I’d wrap up warm, run the atom up and blow a few cobwebs off it. It started instantly without hesitation I warmed it up for a few minutes then stopped it. Went to start it again and all I heard was the dreaded click.
Thought the battery was a little lazy so I went and got my boost pack, connected that to the battery and still just a click.
Just to rule out the battery being an issue I then charged the battery overnight and tried it again this morning and again just a click.
Tried the trick of tapping the starter and also turning over the flywheel a bit incase it was stuck or jammed and nothing.
I then bump started it down the drive and again it started instantly.
Thinking my starter is knackered I noticed the voltage on the dash is only at 11.6 volts yet I charged the battery overnight. I don’t have my multimeter at home to verify the actual battery voltage but I’m not suspecting a loose connection somewhere. I doubt both the alternator and starter have both dies at exactly the same moment.
Any ideas before I go pulling the thing apart
Thanks in advance

[IanG]

Morning Szabo
The first thing and the simplest to do is check the battery once the odyssey battery goes flat it’s always a new battery
Ian

[Szabo]

Hi Ian

Of course, but I had a decent jump pack connected to the battery and it was still just a click when trying to start it.
I agree a new battery maybe needed but not sure it’s the cause of not turning over
Regards
James

[Sledgehammer]

Ground connections checked? Alternator/ Starter to the Frame.
I had some issues with these woven connectors in the past.

[mazza]

Agree with Ian here, mine was doing similar, changed battery and was fine. Think once these batteries go flat, they’re pretty much gone.

Morning Szabo
The first thing and the simplest to do is check the battery once the odyssey battery goes flat it’s always a new battery
Ian

[FrankRizzo]

FWIW, I've also seen someone hook up cable directly to the leads on the starter, and then tapping a battery with the other ends to see if the starter tries to engage. (Make sure car is out of gear, and parking brake is engaged). But this will tell you if the starter is any good.

[Szabo]

Update. Suspecting a loose connection, I spoke with Steve at the factory yesterday who confirmed my suspicions and pointed me in the direction of a small terminal box behind the seat/firewall bulkhead where the main positive lead splits between the starter and the alternator.
I fiddled with these connections and tried the starter and it started right up with over 14v from the alternator.
I still need to do a permanent repair but should a simple fix

Just a mention to thank Steve at the factory who, as always, goes out of his way to help out. Thanks.

James

[Szabo]

Here is the terminal box for info

IMG_3508.jpeg (3.7 MiB) Viewed 593 times

[John Scherrer]

Glad you found it - here's a (de-cluttered ! ) picture showing the terminal block with the cover open but only the main power cable connected.