not starting + low, lumpy tickover

[tiny]

Put the car into the gareage last week to have a new clutch timing belt and decat downpipe fitted. Was collected for me on thursday evening no problems. When i went to start it Saturday evening nothing (just a click when you turn the key) but would jump start only with other car running. Took the car for a bit of a drive to try and charge the battery a bit. When i got home tried starting the car again and still nothing.

Got a new battery today. Same thing happened, again it needed the car we were jumping from running. Once started took the car for a drive again. Stopped to talk to a mate and had to hold my foot gently on the throttle to stop the car from stalling as RPM got so low the CEL light flashed as if the car was trying to stall.

Drove for another half hour then brought the car home, parked it in my usual place and left it tickover for a few minutes. Tickover was erratic and often reached as low as 600RPM. Tried to start the car again and still nothing. Any ideas?

Starter celunoid? Alternator? Bad Earth somewhere?

[tiny]

Have just tried to start the car again using a jump lead connected from the block to the body and it starts- i assume that this means there is an earth fault so, can i just add an extra earth? or do i need to replace one with a cable more capable of taking the power?

[Olly P]

What age is it?
It sounds like the Earth wasn't re-attached properly when the clutch was changed.
If its an early classic like mine the aerth connection is underneath the intercooler. Have a look to see if its loose.

[tiny]

sorry forgot to post reply in here. Yes it was the earth under the intercooler that was loose, took the car back to the garage today and they sorted it for me

Thanks

[Olly P]

Cool, glad you got it sorted and nice that I was spot on even though it didn't help.:moon_walk: :q_dancing_1: :tea_cup:

[Agent Smith]

a releif it is fixed so easily, had bad visions of a weekend under the car.