Starting problem

[rfoster]

Morning chaps, couldn't get the car started last night or this morning. Basically the car arms & disarms as usual - I turn the ignition key to the on position and the fuel pumps primes as it should, then I turn the key to the 'start' position and there's just a click. A couple of the dashboard lights flicker slightly when in the start position.

SO I guess this isn't an immobiliser problem and it's something to do with the starter motor. Anyone know of any way of checking if it's working prooperly?

Cheers,
Richard.

[Mark B]

Not an Elise specific idea, but that sounds a lot like the solenoid is stuck on the starter. Again, I am not sure how easy it would be, but do you have anything you can give the starter a wack with? This may give you an indication as to the solenoid condition....

Only a thought.
Mark B

[Bonce]

No, that sounds like low battery to me!

[rfoster]

I've got a friendly hammer I tried to give it a whack with this morning but access is a bit crap! Anyway I'm going back to it with a friend shortly who has an idea - pop it in 4th and push it backwards & forwards a bit, he thinks it's possible that the bit that shoots into the flywheel has got stuck and this often sorts the problem. Failing this - is it easy to change a starter motor on these?

[bogie]

either battery or MFRU - multi function relay unit - black plasitc box of tricks with plugs attached to it - give it a wiggle, check connections, bit of WD40 etc and also try a new battery. Ive had both go on my car and both had similar symptoms

[Bonce]

rfoster said:

Failing this - is it easy to change a starter motor on these?

Not as easy as it is to change the battery

[rfoster]

Pretty sure it's not the battery, as this has happened a coupe of times since I bought the car 9 months ago, but previously I've left the car for a bit and then tried to re-start it and it's fired straight away. Which makes me think something is stuck. I do also drive it every day which (hopefully) means that the battery should be in good nick.

[340ragtop]

Pretty certain it's a flat battery. Almost definite infact.

[rfoster]

Thanks chaps, I'll try jump starting before bump starting then!

[S Works]

I'd start with the Battery and relays as suggested. Mine did this and was cured with a new Battery.

[nobbles]

Battery..., just got the csi airflow battery trickle charger for mine. Although not put it on yet

[rfoster]

Where can I locate the relays? Are they with or close to the fuses in the front section?

[rfoster]

All sorted - put the car in 4th with the handbrake off, pushed the car forward half a meter and tried restarting - started straight away. My mate did explain what happened - the shooty-outey-thingy from the starter motor was shooting back in again once the engine was running so couldn't start. Apparently moving the car like we did gets it to pop back to its original position. Thanks for you advice guys, no doubt I'll be asking an even more pointless question in the near future.