GavinP

My car won't start

If you turn the ignition key, all you get is a click and nothing else.

I have just replaced the battery and get the same thing.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

Gavin

DARREN

Sounds like the soleniod on the starter has gone,if the battery has good voltage and the click is loud is doesnt sound like a dirty contact problem either,Starters your best bet.

GavinP

Darren - thanks for the info.

Do you know if the solenoid is a separate part or is it built-into the starter motor ?

Thanks

Gavin

BOB.T

The loud click you can hear is actually the solenoid working, it's more likely to be the starter thats packed up, not that it matters really as the starter and solenoid come together.

Hope this helps, Bob

GavinP

Thanks Bob.

Anyone know how much a starter motor costs ?

Thanks

Gavin

JGRIFF

It's actually the bendix gear on the starter motor shaft that's stuck, take the starter motor off and clean the shaft off and relubricate with a good quality graphite grease, that should sort it out

Kevin Greeley

Just a thought - are batteries fully charged ? I've heard of this problem is the battery is low on charge.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

In days of yore, used to thump starter motor with hammer...

(Disclaimers etc)

Dream Weaver

PTMW

Still worth a try I would think

Paul Wilson

And if that doesn't work..... use a bigger hammer

Blah blah blah at your own blah blah blah risk blah

Dave T-S

Starter motors haven't had a bendix on for about 20 years (possible exception of the mini/metro - but who cares about them) - they are all pre-engaged ones now where the solenoid sits on top of the starter motor and the drive cog is direct engagement - and of course a more complicated set-up.

If you are not for pulling it apart yourself, need to get a mobile motor electrician out to check it out.

cwal1

Gavin,

Can't give you an explanation but recently my battery ran very low after I keft the door open and the ignition on all night ! Stupid mistake but ......

When I got up the next morning I had the same symptoms as you describe. As it sounded like there was enough charge to do the job, but the starter motor wasn't engaging, I put the car in 3rd and shoved it forward to rotate the crank. Tried again and hey presto - I'm off.

Worth a try !

Chris.

TonyC-Evo Lurker

You'll get that exact symptom if you have a bad earth.
I've suffered from it with two different cars (not scoobs). Both were the main earth lead giving problems.

TonyC

RB170

I had exactly the same problem when the alarm on my car had been running all day. The mechanic placed a charger on the battery and it turned over fine. I'd get someone to give you a jump start before taking things apart etc.

Mike