Random non-start

[Johnjourno]

Hi all, I hope this is okay posting this in here. I come out of work last night and my Caddy wouldn’t start, didn’t even attempt to crank but the dash was bright as were the lights.

I’ve added a video showing what happens, and the main thing that threw me was that when I ‘crank’ the battery light went off then sporadically flickered.

I bumped the van effortlessly and drove home. Checking the voltage under voltage load it was producing 13.3v which is low. I turned off the engine and the battery was 12.9v once stabilised and the van again wouldn’t start. It gives no attempt to crank.

Today I am going to do some investigating but with it being such an unusual fault (with the flickering battery light) and being out of the blue as it started perfectly to go to work, has anyone experienced this before? Battery is a Yuasa and not even 2 months old.

Thanks all in advance

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xfEYfMkKheMyygJX8


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[STP]

Check all the cables are tight at the ends, on battery and body. Also at the fusebox main connection. Loose terminals will cause this from voltage drop, not enough current to crank but ignition and lower current loads will appear to be fine until you try cranking.

That alternator voltage is too low, should be well over 14v when running. Check as above. Same fault can cause both issues.

Also check all fuse nuts along the strip in front of the fusebox in the engine bay. Take care, all are live. First one on left is alternator, next is electric power steering. These are master fuses so could be blown, can't be tested with a meter when the cables are on them however due to the charging circuit layout.

[Johnjourno]

I got to the bottom of this. In short summary the cable from the chassis to the gearbox is open circuit so I replaced it and now it’s starting faultlessly. I’ll post an extended answer with images soon