Rover Metro 1.4 Gsi wont start

Is the battery actually charged? it takes a *long* time, especially at idle, to replace just what a cold start takes out, never mind topping it up again.

Yes, I think so, I had it on fast charge for about 5 hours. There is no spark at all from the spark plugs so we cleaned the distributor cap and checked the Coil and found no low voltage to the Coil. Would a poorly charged battery cause that?

Lindy

Does the engine turn over quickly enough? Turn the headlights on and look for excessive dimming when cranking. Also, does this car have a factory fitted immobiliser? You say "no low voltage"...is there a voltage there at all?

The engine seems to turn over fast enough,it just doesn't start. Yes, there is a factory fitted immobiliser, but when its on a red light flashes on the dashboard and you can't turn the engine over until you press the 'off' button on the key fob. All my brother said was there was 'no low voltage to the coil' whatever that means.

All my brother said was there was 'no low voltage to the coil' whatever that means.

Run a lead from the battery positive terminal to the coil 'low voltage' connector. It's known as hot wiring (every kid in Liverpool knows how). If it then starts, the original cable is bust. DaveK.