Now mine won't start!

[davidn]

Starting turning over slowly this morning then died, evrything primes as it should on the black button but nothing doing with the starter.
I've been checking threads and fiddling all afternoon but nothing's worked.
Car ran fine last night starter spun away like a goodun had a reasonably long run then into the garage and on with the Accumate. Green light in charger so I though everything was fine.
So far I have
1. Checked battery voltage - 12.5
2. Replaced battery turned over a couple of times really slowly then died same as old battery
3. Replaced 100amp fuse & sprayed with WD40
4. Disconnected and cleaned chassis earth in n/s wheel arch.
5. Held start button in for 5 minutes
6. Checked connections to starter and solonoid
I fitted a new starter about a month ago and it's been fine till now.
What am I missing?
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Cheers
David

[Ireland]

Check if you have power going IN and OUT of the starter circuit on the immobiliser.

These are the two heavier wires on the loom to it (you should be able to check it at the multi-plug if you trace the loom).

This solved mine.

[ancol]

sounds unlikely but it could be a faulty starter even though its not very old

[davidn]

I knew you two would show up . Haven't messed with imobiliser yet so it's on the list. Where will I be looking for the multi plug? is it the helmet hole?
Just can't see it being the starter but anything's possible I know. Before I changed the battery each time I let it charge to full the starter would turn over a few times but very slowly, after that nothing. I suppose it could be jammed but I'm not too sure of the workings of that. I've got a recon'd spare I can try but I just didn't fancy pulling the starter again.
Since my last post I've tried pulling the ignition box in the boot, checked fuses, swapped a couple of relays (I'm cluthing at straws here) but nothing. I can hear the solonoid relay clicking in the boot on the button though so assume that's working. I've also checked the ECU but nothing obvious and then tried jumping the car but you guessed it - nothing.
Any other suggestions (trying to put off pulling the starter out)

[BLUETHUNDER]

It does sound like starter.Who re-built it?

[betty_swallocks]

my starter went tits up yesterday, got in it in the morning and it was spinning the engine like a good un, then it was as if someone flicked a switch and the engine started turning really slowly just as it fired, thought it was a bit odd but i drove to work anyway
when i left work it was still turning really slowly and would not start, I had the nearly new battery checked and although it checked out fine, the guy changed it anyway, so now the starter is out and waiting to be refurbished

as far as i am aware it cannot be anything else really

hope this helps

betty

[ancol]

yes david the imobiliser is behind the helmet holder it just pulls out quite easily but imo im 99% sure its the starter bite the bullet and take it back out secure the starter firmly and drop jump leads across terminals i know it wont be under engine torque but if it dosnt spion over at least you will know for sure starte is sh@@ged, thats how i test my starters anyway

[davidn]

Bugger! it's looking like the starter isn't it. It was a brand new unit which is a pisser so as suggested I'm going to pull it out connect it up to my perfectly good (now spare)battery replaced earlier today and see what happens.
I'm beginning to lose faith in these starters, that's 3 for me now.
Thanks for the help chaps, ah well at least the cuts have had a chance to heal from the last time I changed it.
I'll report back when I know.
David

Edited by davidn on Thursday 8th March 21:22

[ireland]

ancol said:

....the imobiliser is behind the helmet holder it just pulls out quite easily .....

Just 2 x philips screws.

And it's easy to identify as well ..... it's got "Immobiliser" written on it.

[RUSSELLM]

My "new" one, that I bought off ebay lasted about a month, it's in my loft.

The refurbed 11 year old "tilton" one is still going strong.

[Julian64]

I wish these starter threads would end on a 'I discovered what was wrong with the starter and it was this' comment

[Ireland]

Julian64 said:

I wish these starter threads would end on a 'I discovered what was wrong with the starter and it was this' comment

I agree.

[flashheart]

There must be something dodgy with them overall, not up to the job etc - mine has had 4 starters in it's 9yr life.

[blueflash]

my 4.5 didn't wont to start yesterday, gave the battery a quick charge - still turning over slowly n not having it!. took the earth strap off to check - its been rubbing against a meal pipe and worn its self half through. local auto electician made a new one(£15) and tested the battery ,showing 12volts but only 167amps!! should be 560amps .battery was from halfords(3yr warrenty) only 14mths old ,they changed it no probs. now turns over so fast you wouldn't think the plugs were in!, and fires straight into life. hope this helps.

[RUSSELLM]

That Tilton one lasted ten years in my motor.

The guy who refurbed it, mentioned that it had a lot of teeth on it and looked well made.

I haven't shown him the ebay one yet, but I'd be interested to hear his views on it.

One thing he did mention, was the fact that if the voltage / ampage wasn't right to the starter, it could burn it out.

So I'm guessing that poor batteries / connections wont do them to much good.

[Tangoed]

Are you sure its not the battery, if you leave a cerb for a few days without using it with a dodgy battery it will drain. Especially with the alarm on. Its worth getting an acumate to keep it topped up.

[davidn]

Don't know if it's the starter yet (it's coming out this weekend)but I've just remebered something odd. About a week ago I started up as usual but could hear a loud wining noise. Switched off and heard it coast down to a stop ater 10 secs. Startered it a number of times to try and replicate but all fine. I'm no expert but that sounds like the starter sticking in. Maybe it's burn't out, althuough right now I'm loving the earth strap theory.
David

[Tangoed]

It does sound like the starter sticking in. Check to see you haven't got a permanent 12V supply to the starter motor, after you've tried to start it. I had this problem.

[davidn]

Oaky, I'll check it.
David

[copilot]

Tangoed said:

Are you sure its not the battery, if you leave a cerb for a few days without using it with a dodgy battery it will drain. Especially with the alarm on. Its worth getting an acumate to keep it topped up.

I agree. You've not said if you've properly checked the batteries. If you have fine, but if you havn't, I'd rule these out first before removing any starter motor.