2.2 TiD - Won't turn over, loud click

[0191mark]

(2001 Saab 9-3 2.2 TiD) Charged the battery a few days ago, washed and ran the car yesterday afternoon, no problems at all. Today it won't start - on first turn of the key I hear a fairly loud click from somewhere in the bay.

No lights on the dashboard other than coil, which disappears as it should, and the battery and oil lights which go out after a normal start up, central locking not sluggish at all, lights, radio all work.

Any suggestions please? In the meantime I'll put the battery on charge again...

[olly_rowland]

Sounds like it could be the starter motor? Had this problem on an old Hillman Imp and a Nissan pick up truck. To get it going giver the starter motor a whack as it is probably stuck.

[0191mark]

olly_rowland said:

Sounds like it could be the starter motor? Had this problem on an old Hillman Imp and a Nissan pick up truck. To get it going giver the starter motor a whack as it is probably stuck.

Worth a try - once I've found it!

[0191mark]

Charged the battery, charger displayed full after three hours, still didn't start. Tried hammering the starter, a little difficult to get to but placed a crowbar on the motor housing and hit the other end with a hammer. Also put the car in reverse and managed to rock it back six inches (with difficulty). Couldn't move it forward in 2nd... would that be far enough or does it need a good couple of feet in gear?

[pacman1]

No, just rocking it back and forth a few times should be enough to release the starter gear from the flywheel.

[0191mark]

Thanks for your responses ollie, pacman - however, went back to the car the next day and it started without any trouble... but I fully expect it to play up again though.

[DrDeAtH]

have a check to see if the battery connections have loosened as this could give you the intermittent fault. Also worth checking the engine earth strap and starter supply wires

[0191mark]

DrDeAtH said:

have a check to see if the battery connections have loosened as this could give you the intermittent fault. Also worth checking the engine earth strap and starter supply wires

Battery connections are okay but will check starter supply and earth once I've found it. Thanks for the suggestions Doc.