Ignition Problem?

[xpress]

Hi there. Went to start her up a bit ago, the dash lights come on, wipers work, headlights strong. Engine won't turn over. I can hear a relay clicking as I try to crank the starter.

Battery reads 12.3v and when cranking it's 11.95.

Any ideas?

Kind thanks.

[lloydy]

Mine did that intermittently a while a go, it was a lose earth cable (the one just below the alternator on my diesel engine) so you could check the earths in the engine bay. also could be a lose connection on the starter motor

[xpress]

Cheers lloydy, will check that and report back. Hoping it's not the ignition switch. The drop in volts during cranking suggests it should be ok so yep, could be getting down to the back but not any further.

[xpress]

hiya. i put the probe on the negative terminal, wedged the positive probe on the positive, cranked her and she started. i think it's a bad earth on the negative terminal on the battery or further down the circuit towards engine and the current eventually opened the circuit, it pays to keep starting older cars up every couple days.

i am going to replace the terminal clamps for the battery, anyone with any good ideas, i know there's fancy quick release ones these days.