16v not starting

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Today when I went to start the 16v it wouldn't start. At first I couldn't hear anything when I turned the key but then after a few times I heard a clicking every time I tried (just one click each time), now when I try I get a rapid clicking noise. A couple of times there was also more of a clunking noise than a click, as though it was about to do something but didn't.

I tried putting a different battery which I know to be OK in but it still did the same thing - so I need some suggestions. Up until yesterday it had started perfectly, but then once I tired it yesterday it didn't turn over after a few turns of the key, then started fine and started fine a couple more times so I had presumed it was ok - until it started doing it again today.

If you have any ideas could you suggest what it could be and how I can sort it?

Thanks.

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:32 am

starter motor?

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I was hoping it wouldn't need replaced as it had been working OK after it had started once yesterday and that it could be something that could be sorted (dodgy connection or something), but no doubt it will need replacing knowing my luck.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

are the relays clicking or is it the starter solenoid clicking?

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

not totally sure. Where would the relay noise be coming from? when it was clicking repidly the noise seemed to be coming from over right next to the passenger side where the black box is, but when it only clicked once it was coming from the starter motor area (I think).

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

the relays are in the passenger side in the au7x fuse box beside the wiper washer bottle.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I'll go and double check just now. The thing is it makes different noises each time I try to start it, lol.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

right, the noise is definately coming from the starter motor area so I presume it would be the solenoid.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

try jump starting it.

try it, don't argue just try it.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

yes sir

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

tried jump starting it and it just continued to do the same. What now?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

call the aa! lol

whats it doing exactly?

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

lol, I don't have AA membership - but fully intend to get some once it's finished.

You turn the key and you can just hear the solenoid clicking. Sometimes it doesn't click at all, sometimes it clicks once and sometimes it clicks quite rapidly. You can also hear a kind of wurring from the back which I presume is something to do with the fuel pump?

Someone on WC was saying you can "twat it with a hammer" - I've heard about this before but where do you have to hit it and I take it you would have to remove the heat shield to get at it?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

the whine from behidn is the fuel pump.

the relay clicking in and out quickly is tellign me its not the starter.

Does the pump prime every time the ignitions on?

Take the steering shroud off, it will have the gay oe ren immob, you will fine relays here, feel how hot they are.

Twatting with a hammer only frees a sticky solenoid.

Have you tried to bump start the car?

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Chris H";p="100479 wrote:

the whine from behidn is the fuel pump.

the relay clicking in and out quickly is tellign me its not the starter. i'm not sure as I don't know that much, but I got my brother to turn the key earlier whilst I listened and it definately seemed to be coming from the starter area

Does the pump prime every time the ignitions on? yes

Take the steering shroud off, it will have the gay oe ren immob, you will fine relays here, feel how hot they are. where exactly do you mean, inside the car just below the wheel?

Twatting with a hammer only frees a sticky solenoid.

Have you tried to bump start the car? not yet - I was thinking that might be an idea though and then see what happens

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yes behind the steerin where where the stalks live.

Go bump it, might find the starters jammed, in fact stick it in 4th and rock the car back and forth about 1/2 feet, see if it will then start

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I've just tried rocking it and wne tback and forth about 1/2 foot as you said, but there was no change with the starter. I'll try bump starting it tomorrow before I go to work if I get a chance and let you know what happens.

Thanks.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Didn't have time to try bump starting it earlier before I got to work and can't do it now as my dad's car is on the drive and he's away with the keys.

I tried starting it anyway though and this time after a few tries I got more a wurring nose come from the engine bay (but no clicK) a couple of times - and when it did this the rev counter jumped up a bit to about 500rpm. I don't know if this could shed any more light on it tbh, but thought I would mention it. I'll try and bump start it tomorrow though and let you know what happens.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

did the engine turn over or was it just a brief jump by the tacho needle?

Sound sliek you have a wiring issue if th eneedle jumped, dodgy earth somewhere

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

engine didn't turn over, just that the tacho jumped up - but only when this sort of wurring noise occured. I don't like the sound of earthing issues (too many of them, lol) - any idea of what particular earths I should be looking at or is it a case of looking at them all (not that I know where they are really)? I'm guessing the problem would be with one of the gearbox ones as they are the only ones I have touched?

I'll clean up the gearbox earths tomorrow, then if that fails I'll try bump starting it to see what happens then.

Thanks mate.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

God damn french piece of mother funking shit!!!! I tried checking a few earths today and it made bugger all difference. A bit later on I then decided to have another look so I went out, turned the key and held it there then engine turned over a tiny bit but the alarm went off. I then plipped the key as the immob had been activated tried again and it did the same thing. I then took the battery out of the 1.4, connected it to the 16v via jump leads and tried again - it turned over a bit more but very slowly - at that point it stopped turning at all and went back to clicking. After a few more tries of turning the key the alarm started to go off every time I turn the key. Now I don't even get a click - just the alarm starting to go off.

I then took it out tried to bump start it using my dads car to tow it as there was only the two of us. However it was having none of that malarky so it just turned into a pain in the arse having to push it back up slope on the drive as I can't leave it on the street because they are re-surfacing it as of tomorrow.