please help guys

[noble jez]

My M12 3R wont start electrics turn on radio headlights etc fuel pump primes but then when i turn the key or press start button there is nothing any ideas. this happened after i had just driven the car for 30 mins and i have a powerful light that runs from the cigerette lighter so dont think there is a battery issue all ideas and helped gratefully received

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Do the headlights dim when trying to start? If not it could be an immobiliser problem.

[Lakelord]

Sounds typical of the battery to me. While the battery may be giving 12V on a meter, under load, i.e. stating, this can drop way down.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Lakelord said:

Sounds typical of the battery to me. While the battery may be giving 12V on a meter, under load, i.e. stating, this can drop way down.

Which is why I asked about the lights Headlights for the avoidance of doubt.

[snuffy]

Do you hear a lout clicking when you turn the ignition ?

[noble jez]

headlights are dim but always have been a difference between them when car is running or just turned on ignition. there is no noise at all. no clicking. phoned local a mechanic mate who recons starter motor & solonoid need replacing but im sure this isnt cheap any ideas

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

noble jez said:

headlights are dim but always have been a difference between them when car is running or just turned on ignition. there is no noise at all. no clicking. phoned local a mechanic mate who recons starter motor & solonoid need replacing but im sure this isnt cheap any ideas

But do the lights actually change brightness when you turn the key/press the button?

[RobP]

noble jez said:

headlights are dim but always have been a difference between them when car is running or just turned on ignition. there is no noise at all. no clicking. phoned local a mechanic mate who recons starter motor & solonoid need replacing but im sure this isnt cheap any ideas

If it is a stuck solenoid (and it sounds like it to me), try putting it in gear and then rock the car back and forwards a few times. This is better (and easier) than hitting the starter motor with a hammer.
If this does the trick then it's new/re cond stater motor I'm afraid.

[snuffy]

I had a new started motor in mine a few months ago. Everything lit up ( dash, lights etc ) but nothing when I pressed the button or turned the key.

Have you checked the battery connections ? If they are corroded then you will still get lights etc but as soon as you try and start the car it wont supply enough current.

Or it could be a bad earth ( similar to the battery connections ). I had this on my old Clio. It refused to start. RAC man said that the starter motor was knackered but it was the earth strap that had fallen off. You can test it by taking a jump lead and connecting from the chassis to the block somewhere. Then you know that the engine is earthed so you get a return path. Give that a try and see if anything happens.

[Ash 996 GT2]

Do you hear rapid, almost rabid clicking behind you when you try to start?

If yes could be faulty relay. They are installed upside down, when it rains, the water goes straight in.