MX5 mk1 wouldnt start

[Chickateee]

So had to get some mates involved and bump start it. Worked first time but again it won't start and this time i'm in a road with speed bumps which doesnt bode well. My questions are 1. Anything I can do to get it started? 2. Whats the likely cause? The starter I assumed? 3. How expensive is this gonna be to get it fixed?

Cheers

[Eighteeteewhy]

More info needed. Is it turning over?

[Chickateee]

No its not even turning over. Makes a clicking noise but that's it. Battery appears to be working as the lights/radio/aircon works. The potential cost is worrying me.

[vdubbin]

Could be as simple as a flat battery, can yo jump start it?

[Chickateee]

battery was recently replaced by the last owner. Also as I mentioned the lights/radio/aircon are all working fine plus it started when I push started it so that leads me to think it's not the battery. More likely the starter no?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Turn the lights on then try cranking. If the lights go pretty much out then the battery is dead. If they just dim a bit then the battery is probably Ok.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Will it jump start off another car? If it will it sounds like the battery, take it off give it a full charge. Can you get your hands on a voltmeter?

[GC8]

First off, Id be trying to push start it. It should start relatively easily if one reasonably able person pushes it on a flat road, and the other lets the clutch out in second with the ignition on and a touch of throttle.

It will probably be a stuck starter motor and an expert clout will get it going.

[Chickateee]

I have done that before. I can't this time as there are large speed bumps in the road.

Pretty sure it's not the battery.

My question is, if I cant push start it again, is there another way? Apart from calling AA! And really my question is - How much will it cost to get my starter repaired or worse yet, replaced??

[jtopps]

I reckon your best bet to figuring out whats wrong was mentioned earlier in the thread, try and jump start it from another car, if that works then you rule out the starter motor being the problem. if it doesnt work then you may need to investigate as to whether its the motor itself or one of the connections to the motor etc.

[kazman]

I had this issue and it turned out it was one of the battery leads was very loose on the terminals. Supplied enough current for lights etc but not the starter. Could be worth checking. Especially if you have had the battery on and off recently?