Guest Budz86 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Well I just tried to start the car and it won't start. I can hear one loud click and a humming from the back of the car which I assume is the starter motor and fuel pump. Stereo turn's on and all the gauges, windows etc work fine. It was a little low on petrol but I've just added another 15 litres. It happened the other day and I took the key out, re-inserted it and it worked fine. This also happened a few mins before it died - when it started I drove it a few feet and turned the engine off, now it won't start again Does anyone have any idea's what it could be? Is it something stupid like a flat battery? The car has only been standing since Wednesday night and I drove it this morning but I can't remember if this happened or not, plus all the electrics work so I'm thinking it's something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 could be battery if you left a door open or something and drained it normally if it was the battery you would get a load of little clicks so, get some jump leads or meter to check battery. failing that could be the starter motor jamming if it does it now and again, low on petrol stopping it from starting ? thats a new one on me. so does the engine turn over or you have nothing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Engine earth? Engines need fuel and spark. If you have fuel, in the tank, check the fuel pump flowing. If they check out, check for spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Thanks guys, just tried to jump start it and it didn't make a difference. I'm not getting lot's of little clicks, just one. It could be that the starter motor is jamming, but the fact that it turned over a few mins before makes me think it could be something else. How would I check to see if it's getting a spark - I don't have a voltmeter which is probably what I need??? Edit - I can hear what I think is the fuel pump humming from the back of the car so I assume it's flowing as it should? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRD DAN Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 You could tap the starter with a hammer to see if it goes just to see it it helps ? Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 so the engine does not turn over? as dan said try and smack the starter with a hammer to free it or you may have to bump start it and it may free its self once started. to check for spark you can take the 2 plugs out and plug them back in to coil pack let them touch the head or earth you can reach and turn over ingition and see if they spark (but you would need the engine to turn over to test that). so you problem is before that unless you have 2 problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 (edited) Your starter motor contacts need refurbing, I'd put money on it. There's a guide on here for how to do it if you're handy with a socket set. Sound familiar? --> http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?70712-Car-reluctant-to-start Edited September 3, 2011 by stevie_b (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supranature Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Your starter motor is fooked. End of. You can refurb yourself, but it can be a PITA unless the car is on ramps. Starters normally give notice of imminent failure, you have just been unlucky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ugp Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 My NA did that quite often, knackered contacts on the starter. It did however always start after a few attempts of flicking the key back and forward to the starter engage point. In other words, keep making it click, you might get lucky in it actually grabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks guys, I'll be giving this a go during the week. Only thing is I don't know the code for the alarm or radio! Will disconnecting the battery reset them? I know where the box for alarm is - rumor has it on cliffords they use the serial number but which numbers?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suprasteve k Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Had same problems last year, i had power to the fuel pump but no sparks, ended up to be the Clifford immobiliser have you checked for sparks yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks guys, I'll be giving this a go during the week. Only thing is I don't know the code for the alarm or radio! Will disconnecting the battery reset them? I know where the box for alarm is - rumor has it on cliffords they use the serial number but which numbers?? I don't know how the Clifford alarms work but I'm not sure if you'd need to enter a code for the alarm. Just make sure the car is open before disconnecting the battery. *If* the radio uses a security code then that will need entering again. Had same problems last year, i had power to the fuel pump but no sparks, ended up to be the Clifford immobiliser have you checked for sparks yet? Wouldn't the lack of a spark cause the engine to turn over but not to fire up? I think the OP's engine won't turn over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Correct - it won't turn over, just one loud click then nothing. I did think about it being the imoboliser but the stereo, windows and Apexi s-afc don't come on unless the imoboliser is disarmed and I am getting the loud click which suggests its not that. Thanks for the pointers though, I'll be having a look at the starter motor tomorrow and I'll let you know what I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DarrenLee Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Hi I have exactly the same problem at the moment. Came from nowhere as well as car has been running brilliant. Anyway been chatting with Jurgen and he seems to think its the contacts. Going to take it down soon to let him have a look. Luckily mine still kicks in after a few turns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Just thought I'd update this thread - car is all fixed now after replacing the starter motor contacts . Thanks all for the input - just saved over £250 getting a new starter motor fitted! As people have said in the 'how to' thread - it's very simple but the top bolt on the starter motor is a bitch to get to! Had to soak the bolt in WD40 then put a ring spanner on it with a large socket over the other end attached to an extension bar to break it free! Once it started moving though I got a socket on it with a universal joint and a couple of extension bars and it was fine. Changing the contacts took less than 20 mins including cleaning up the rest of the bits inside. All in all a good mornings work - now for the MOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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