Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    guides

    adventureguide

    evguide

    familyguide

    tradieguide

    urbanguide

    0 Logout

    Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    Alfa Romeo 147 2003: Why won't it start?

    Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Advice Alfa Romeo 147 Alfa Romeo 147 Advice Alfa Romeo 147 2003

    My 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 won't start and there is a ticking sound coming from the fusebox. What is likely to be the cause?

    Answered by CarsGuide
    28 February 2020
    David Morley

    Fuses don’t have any moving parts, so it shouldn’t be a fuse that’s making a ticking noise. But fuse boxes also often house relays which do have electro-magnetic contacts and a small armature that moves when the magnets are energised. That’s the probable cause of the ticking noise.

    That you’re hearing to ticking noise when you try to start the car, suggests to me that it’s a relay connected with the starting procedure; possibly something to do with powering up the fuel pump or even the starter-motor itself. But hearing it means that it’s working and the problem is somewhere downstream of the relay.

    You’ve told me that the car won’t start, but does that mean it cranks and won’t fire, or won’t even crank in the first place? Because those are two very different problems with a thousand potential causes.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
    Other Alfa Romeo 147 Problems
    SELL ALL ALFA ROMEO 147 PROBLEMS
    Related cars for sale on CarsGuide
    See more Alfa Romeo 147s for sale

    Comments

    Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
    More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
    Ask now
    Complete guide to Alfa Romeo 147 2003
    Complete guide to Alfa Romeo 147 2003 CarsGuide Logo
    Reviews, price, specs and more