Your non-starter for ten...
Discussion
Right then.
Last week (Friday, I think) I went out to the car to drive to work. Got in, buckled up, steering wheel on, key in ignition, ignition light on, pressed the BRB and...
...not a lot.
Turning, but not burning. Gave it a couple of tries until I became acutely aware of the fact that I was trying to start a pretty noisy car at 0345 in the morning within earshot of my (so far friendly) neighbours. So I gave up and walked to work (30 minutes).
At the time, I put it down to the cold and damp - "Katie" has always been a bit reluctant to start under these conditions.
So, I gave it another go last weekend. Again, really wanting to start, but not actually starting. Lots of "rurr rurr rurr rurr rurr" without any end product. I came to the conclusion that I had flattened the battery with my attempts at starting.
So, fast forward to yesterday and I'd coerced a work-mate into popping round with his jump leads.
Just before he arrived, I gave her another go. The was a definite "cough" as if it was really trying to start, but didn't.
So we got the jump leads hooked up and gave it a go. Nothing. "rurr rurr rurr rurr".
Funnily enough, all evidence suggested that the battery was fine; Ignition light burning brightly. I switched the headlights on and they were as bright as usual, and didn't fluctuate when my mate revved his engine.
A few more attempts and the "rurrs" were getting slower and slower. Then it was, like, "rurrrr rurrr rurrr click click click click" - which I think is some kind of protest from the starter motor.
So, apologising for the long-winded and heavily technical post, which bit do I need to replace?
Starter motor? Solenoid? Alternator?
And is there a quick fix to get it started in the meanwhile - jump start? "Bridging the solenoid with a screwdriver" (as suggested by someone at work)?
Help!
Last week (Friday, I think) I went out to the car to drive to work. Got in, buckled up, steering wheel on, key in ignition, ignition light on, pressed the BRB and...
...not a lot.
Turning, but not burning. Gave it a couple of tries until I became acutely aware of the fact that I was trying to start a pretty noisy car at 0345 in the morning within earshot of my (so far friendly) neighbours. So I gave up and walked to work (30 minutes).
At the time, I put it down to the cold and damp - "Katie" has always been a bit reluctant to start under these conditions.
So, I gave it another go last weekend. Again, really wanting to start, but not actually starting. Lots of "rurr rurr rurr rurr rurr" without any end product. I came to the conclusion that I had flattened the battery with my attempts at starting.
So, fast forward to yesterday and I'd coerced a work-mate into popping round with his jump leads.
Just before he arrived, I gave her another go. The was a definite "cough" as if it was really trying to start, but didn't.
So we got the jump leads hooked up and gave it a go. Nothing. "rurr rurr rurr rurr".
Funnily enough, all evidence suggested that the battery was fine; Ignition light burning brightly. I switched the headlights on and they were as bright as usual, and didn't fluctuate when my mate revved his engine.
A few more attempts and the "rurrs" were getting slower and slower. Then it was, like, "rurrrr rurrr rurrr click click click click" - which I think is some kind of protest from the starter motor.
So, apologising for the long-winded and heavily technical post, which bit do I need to replace?
Starter motor? Solenoid? Alternator?
And is there a quick fix to get it started in the meanwhile - jump start? "Bridging the solenoid with a screwdriver" (as suggested by someone at work)?
Help!
If it was turning over but not firing then the starter is(was) fine.
Charge the battery then check for
Spark at each plug first.
If after charging the battery it still doesn't turn over it's possible the battery is completely knackered.
Report back
Does it have a k series lump in her ? On phone so can't look properly
Charge the battery then check for
Spark at each plug first.
If after charging the battery it still doesn't turn over it's possible the battery is completely knackered.
Report back
Does it have a k series lump in her ? On phone so can't look properly
If you know someone with a faultcode reader then see if any codes are stored.
Do you remember If the rev counter was going up when cranking ?
Can you hear the fuel pump prime in her when you switch the ignition on normally ?
It could be a lot of different things, if you where closer I'd come and have a poke for a ride once we had her going again
Do you remember If the rev counter was going up when cranking ?
Can you hear the fuel pump prime in her when you switch the ignition on normally ?
It could be a lot of different things, if you where closer I'd come and have a poke for a ride once we had her going again
Has it been in the rain?
The K-series has a problem with water running onto the top of the engine and water working its way into the plug wells
i would also throw money at the problem and replace the rotor arm, distributor cap, plug leads and plugs for your rover 218i unless its the more modern one with the coil packs
Also push the black rubber button near the ECU under the bonnet
The K-series has a problem with water running onto the top of the engine and water working its way into the plug wells
i would also throw money at the problem and replace the rotor arm, distributor cap, plug leads and plugs for your rover 218i unless its the more modern one with the coil packs
Also push the black rubber button near the ECU under the bonnet
Basics, always remember the basics. Amazing how many people seem to forget these things.
If it turns over, but doesn't start, than its one of 3 things.
Air. Fuel. Spark.
Air - its probably getting this.
Fuel - did the fuel pump prime up properly? (Is there actually any in the tank?) Injectors working? (Not so easy to test but you can sometimes hear them. If needs be pull-em and squirt them into a jar. Disclaimer - use your brain before doing this).
Spark - the most common I'd guess. Pull each plug and check theres a good spark.
These 3 things then lead onto the more complex stuff, sensors, etc etc. But it gives you a clue.
I once went round the houses replacing all sorts of sensors, resetting stuff, faffing, thinking it was some kind of electronic problem.
Until m Dad gave it the old K.I.S.S talk.
Was just a blocked fuel filter. Dead simple
If it turns over, but doesn't start, than its one of 3 things.
Air. Fuel. Spark.
Air - its probably getting this.
Fuel - did the fuel pump prime up properly? (Is there actually any in the tank?) Injectors working? (Not so easy to test but you can sometimes hear them. If needs be pull-em and squirt them into a jar. Disclaimer - use your brain before doing this).
Spark - the most common I'd guess. Pull each plug and check theres a good spark.
These 3 things then lead onto the more complex stuff, sensors, etc etc. But it gives you a clue.
I once went round the houses replacing all sorts of sensors, resetting stuff, faffing, thinking it was some kind of electronic problem.
Until m Dad gave it the old K.I.S.S talk.
Was just a blocked fuel filter. Dead simple
As has been said, think you need to get back to basics here.. you need to check you've got a spark, and check that you've got fuel coming through. After all the cranking can you smell fuel? Can you hear the fuel pump priming when you put on the ignition?
Have you got AA membership? Could just get them out to do this diagnosis work for you!
Have you got AA membership? Could just get them out to do this diagnosis work for you!
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