Car not starting (Probably Starter Motor)

10th July 2013, 14:12

Hi all,

Sorry for making first post on the forum another problem for you guys to solve, but other peoples threads have helped me out in the past and to an extent with this problem too.

Problem I have is my car won't turn over and I am getting the clicky noise that other people have mentioned. I have made sure the battery is fully charged as well as cleaning the connectors and still have the same issue, which makes me think that it's the starter motor. What I don't understand is that the car starts fine when I jump it.

Is this something that could indicate that there is nothing wrong with the starter motor or is there something else that I have missed?

Thanks in advance.

10th July 2013, 14:13

try a different battery

10th July 2013, 14:30

As you've not filled out your profile I'm going to have to guess at the make/model, but as you're here I'm presuming it's a saxo

If you're hearing a click when you turn the key from the engine but "nothing happens" then it's possible the starter motor is broken completely, or simply has it's power circuit interrupted, either through an "intentional" fault (ie, immobilizer) or a problem (duff cabling to the starter).

I'm going to presume it's not an immobilizer fault as you've not mentioned an alarm, or that you have a "strange symbol on the dash" like most people mention when they see the immobilizer light for the first time

First things to do are try an alternative battery and make sure the one you are attempting to use is in tip top shape. You can do this without actually changing the battery by "jump starting" from another battery onto your own in the car.

If it results in the same problem, check the main (thick) cable to the starter motor. If you have time, you can even remove it and check the connections are good on both ends. The click you hear is possibly the starter motor exciter working correctly, but the starter itself isn't working.

If this doesn't resolve the fault, you can try hitting the starter motor (they're quite robust) with a hammer. Extreme as this sounds, they can get "stuck" (as can power steering pumps etc) and become locked. If this clears it, be prepared that you're on a slippery slope because the starter IS on the way out, and it's just a matter of time.

Finally, if none of the above work, it's likely that the starter itself is dead and you just need to replace it. Second hand replacements can be found in the for sale section on these forums frequently, although you'll need to be a registered member for 30 days or more and have a minimum of 100 posts to view the section. Alternatively you can purchase "premium membership" (for £10) to get access to the section immediately, along with gaining access to our DIY guides and other forum areas

Hope that helps

10th July 2013, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

As you've not filled out your profile I'm going to have to guess at the make/model, but as you're here I'm presuming it's a saxo

If you're hearing a click when you turn the key from the engine but "nothing happens" then it's possible the starter motor is broken completely, or simply has it's power circuit interrupted, either through an "intentional" fault (ie, immobilizer) or a problem (duff cabling to the starter).

I'm going to presume it's not an immobilizer fault as you've not mentioned an alarm, or that you have a "strange symbol on the dash" like most people mention when they see the immobilizer light for the first time

First things to do are try an alternative battery and make sure the one you are attempting to use is in tip top shape. You can do this without actually changing the battery by "jump starting" from another battery onto your own in the car.

If it results in the same problem, check the main (thick) cable to the starter motor. If you have time, you can even remove it and check the connections are good on both ends. The click you hear is possibly the starter motor exciter working correctly, but the starter itself isn't working.

If this doesn't resolve the fault, you can try hitting the starter motor (they're quite robust) with a hammer. Extreme as this sounds, they can get "stuck" (as can power steering pumps etc) and become locked. If this clears it, be prepared that you're on a slippery slope because the starter IS on the way out, and it's just a matter of time.

Finally, if none of the above work, it's likely that the starter itself is dead and you just need to replace it. Second hand replacements can be found in the for sale section on these forums frequently, although you'll need to be a registered member for 30 days or more and have a minimum of 100 posts to view the section. Alternatively you can purchase "premium membership" (for £10) to get access to the section immediately, along with gaining access to our DIY guides and other forum areas

Hope that helps

Thank you very much for such a detailed reply. The car seems to start ok when I jump it from another, which is why I'm not sure whether its the starter motor or not and haven't gone and bought a new one already. Have given the battery a charge till it said full though and the car has been starting occasionally in the time I've had the problem for.

10th July 2013, 14:59

Sounds like a dead battery to me.

10th July 2013, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan1991

Thank you very much for such a detailed reply. The car seems to start ok when I jump it from another, which is why I'm not sure whether its the starter motor or not and haven't gone and bought a new one already. Have given the battery a charge till it said full though and the car has been starting occasionally in the time I've had the problem for.

In this case, it points squarely at a dead battery. Even with it showing a full charge, it may be old and knackered and have "lost" enough CCA to not comfortably start the car.

Swap it out

10th July 2013, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebabman

Sounds like a dead battery to me.

Hmm might be a case of calling out the RAC getting them to fit one of theirs and seeing if it starts then. Will try and dig out a voltmeter and see if that enlightens me any further.

10th July 2013, 15:34

Its the battery, get a new one

Call up a mate with a simmilar car and swap batteries presuming he didn't have to bump/jump start his car to get to you I bet it fires right up

10th July 2013, 18:16

Thank you for all your help guys, worked fine with the jump again so tested the battery in Halfords and found I was only getting 63% starting power, despite it being 12V when I tested it myself on my voltmeter. Have fitted the new battery and is starting up fine and sounds a lot healthier than it has when starting for a while so should be all good now.