MX-5 wont start? Neighbour needs help?

MX-5 wont start? Neighbour needs help?

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brian chim

Original Poster:

137 posts

227 months

Tuesday 9th May 2006
quotequote all
As described my nighbour has a J reg MX-5 (EUNOS) and it wont start.

When he turns the ignition key it just clicks from the fuse and relay holder on the inner drivers wing and nothing else. I dont know anything about MX-5's and he only drives the cars.

He has had the internals replaced on the starter motor and the battery seams fine. Also tried it with jump leads and still getting nothing.

It has got an imobiliser fitted which is a little key fob that you touch by the ingnition barrel.

Any help guys?

Bry

tuttle

3,427 posts

238 months

Tuesday 9th May 2006
quotequote all
Generic solution to non-starting but relays clicking, can be:
Key barrel internals get a bit gummed up, try clicking the key back & forth ( from stop/off to full start) 20 or so times, this can burnoff/clean the connections.
Also check the battery in the plipper thing to make sure that it is able to arm/disarm the system correctly.
I'm sure it will be something fairly simple, all the best.
M

brian chim

Original Poster:

137 posts

227 months

Tuesday 9th May 2006
quotequote all
Will try them tomorrow when he finishes work.

He has just told me just before he went out tonight that the solinoid is loose on the starter. I know this probably isn't good but do you think this could be the problem?

Any more help much appreciated?

Bry

MeLLoN Stu

21,410 posts

216 months

Wednesday 10th May 2006
quotequote all
a solenoid being loose could definately be a problem.
also, sounds daft, but check the battery terminals have a good connection and are tight on the battery and make sure its got charge. often overlooked.
check all the main fuses and relays.
does the starter even try and turn or is the clicking as far as it gets? if the solenoid is fine try giving the starter a whack.

brian chim

Original Poster:

137 posts

227 months

Wednesday 10th May 2006
quotequote all
Its not the battery because we have had jump leads on it!

The starter doesn't even try to turn the engine over. All we get is the click?

The starter has been totally over hauled and bench tested so i would presume that the solinoid would be ok and probably be replaced

Bry

>> Edited by brian chim on Wednesday 10th May 18:09

aldi

9,243 posts

238 months

Thursday 11th May 2006
quotequote all
Can you turn the engne by hand with a spanner on the crank? Might be worth checking all the grounds also. Can you see what happens to the battery voltage when you turn the key?