Mk1 1.6 not starting. Help?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Went to start the car yesterday morning, and whilst I had all electrics (radio, interior lights, exterior lights, windows and fuel pump all working), the car did nothing. No turn over or movement, just the whirring of the fuel pump from behind me.
I suspected that it was a blown main fuse so went in search all over swindon for an 80A fuse but no where had any (tried euro car parts, camberley, autoelectrix and halfords), although I managed to find a 70A fuse. Tried that and still nothing. I wouldn't have thought having a lower amp fuse would cause an issue?
Otherwise, the only other thing I think it could be is the immobiliser. It seems to disengage OK, but considering the car worked perfectly fine for 2 years prior to yesterday, it's the only thing I can think of that can just stop working one day or have some weird fault. Battery is charged fine, and as far as I can tell everything else looks good.
If it is the immobiliser, what's the best way to disconnect it to test? Or is there anything else I should be looking at?
Cheers.
Went to start the car yesterday morning, and whilst I had all electrics (radio, interior lights, exterior lights, windows and fuel pump all working), the car did nothing. No turn over or movement, just the whirring of the fuel pump from behind me.
I suspected that it was a blown main fuse so went in search all over swindon for an 80A fuse but no where had any (tried euro car parts, camberley, autoelectrix and halfords), although I managed to find a 70A fuse. Tried that and still nothing. I wouldn't have thought having a lower amp fuse would cause an issue?
Otherwise, the only other thing I think it could be is the immobiliser. It seems to disengage OK, but considering the car worked perfectly fine for 2 years prior to yesterday, it's the only thing I can think of that can just stop working one day or have some weird fault. Battery is charged fine, and as far as I can tell everything else looks good.
If it is the immobiliser, what's the best way to disconnect it to test? Or is there anything else I should be looking at?
Cheers.
I know my immobiliser has disengaged when the lights on the dash that tell you your handbrake is on or the engine has stopped(can't tell off the top of my head) come on. Maybe thats just mine though. if your battery can raise the headlights it should at least be able to make an attempt at turning the engine over.
Well after some further research I am now suspecting the starter motor, which is a bit of a pain as living in a small flat means that all my tools and a decent work space are at my mums 2 miles away.
I've just gone out to look at it (had the drivers front wheel off to look through the arch) and, whilst the removal and installation looks pretty straight forward, actually getting the new part into the space where it's mean to go looks like it's going to be a bit of a nightmare as it's bloody tight with brake and clutch lines going all over the place.
Any tips?
EDIT:
Problem solved! It was the starter motor sticking. Rocked the car back and forth in gear a couple of times and it fired up first time I tried! Will still replace the motor as it will end up happening again no doubt, but at least I'm mobile for the easter weekend.
I've just gone out to look at it (had the drivers front wheel off to look through the arch) and, whilst the removal and installation looks pretty straight forward, actually getting the new part into the space where it's mean to go looks like it's going to be a bit of a nightmare as it's bloody tight with brake and clutch lines going all over the place.
Any tips?
EDIT:
Problem solved! It was the starter motor sticking. Rocked the car back and forth in gear a couple of times and it fired up first time I tried! Will still replace the motor as it will end up happening again no doubt, but at least I'm mobile for the easter weekend.
Edited by Slinky1989 on Thursday 28th March 20:03
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