Car doesn't turn over

T

T2FFN

Senior member
 East Yorkshire
So the other day I jump in the car, turn the key, everything lights up as normal, radio, lights etc. turn it to start and nothing. Not a sound, not a warning light, nothing.

I assumed this was one of three things, a tired battery, blown fuse or a dead ignition switch.

Tested the battery with a voltmeter, reading 12.3v with the ignition fully off. Turn headlights on, radio etc then try to start the car. Nothing flickers, nothing dims, so battery seems good.

Checked fuses 54 and 58 as these are related to the ignition starter switch. They appear fine, not blown/broken in the middle. Fuses listed here: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38888

Move onto ignition switch. I removed, opened and cleaned it. Reassembled, refitted, no change. Decided to spend £10 on ebay for a used (working) ignition switch from a breaker as a quick check rather than buying a new part if its not at fault. Fitted it tonight, no change. Everything lights up, just that on the 3rd click when the starter should kick in, nothing but silence.

So, what's next? Any other fuses I should be checking that might be taking the starter out of action? The fact that the starter doesn't make a noise seems like its an electrical issue rather than mechanical. I don't have any spare fuses in this 40a size, but have tried swapping them with others to see if the starter works and takes out another function an no difference.

One thought was the battery in the keyfob, but I only have 1 key so can't do much to try another easily, and it still unlocks/locks and gets the ignition to click 2 just fine.

Cheers
 
Hmm, would the starter die so completely from one day to the next to make no effort at turning the engine over? I had a quick look for the starter motor contacts in the engine bay but its dark and raining so will have to try again in daylight and with a second person to turn the key while measuring voltage at starter.

Any way to rule out the key / immobiliser, bearing in mind I only have a single key and the plastic key?

Edit: after reading a bit of 'starter failure' stories I think the starter could be the culprit. I did say to the gf the day before I thought the cold start was getting a bit labored, even though I have a new battery. It didn't take longer to start as such and has never failed to start, just didn't sound as enthusiastic. I was hoping the battery wasn't faulty, which it doesn't appear to be, which points to the starter. I may try the 'give it a knock' trick to see if it wakes it up, otherwise eurocarparts it is.
 
thepits said:
Get a dealer to look at it :rofl:
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I avoid giving them money at all costs. I'm sure they'd tell me I need a new key, just like they told me it wasn't possible to code the key to lower or raise the roof. Indy garage coded this for £30 :roll:
 
T2FFN said:
thepits said:
Get a dealer to look at it :rofl:
Click to expand...
I avoid giving them money at all costs. I'm sure they'd tell me I need a new key, just like they told me it wasn't possible to code the key to lower or raise the roof. Indy garage coded this for £30 :roll:
Click to expand...
Tongue in cheek :) - ask the indie :thumbsup:
 
Ask them what? Without being able to get the car to them I'd be surprised if they could check the key.

I'll swap the starter and if that doesn't work have a bonfire on the car :fuelfire:
 
srhutch said:
Could just be the battery. Exact symptons I had on Saturday with the wife's car.
Click to expand...

Its pretty new (<9mnths) and even hooked up to another car for a jump it did nothing.

At least I now have a spare ignition switch and know I can swap it out in 5mins if needed. I'll swap the starter on friday as that seems the most likely culprit now. Might be tempted to hit it first as I've read that seems to 'wake them up'.
 
T2FFN said:
srhutch said:
Could just be the battery. Exact symptons I had on Saturday with the wife's car.
Click to expand...

Its pretty new (<9mnths) and even hooked up to another car for a jump it did nothing.

At least I now have a spare ignition switch and know I can swap it out in 5mins if needed. I'll swap the starter on friday as that seems the most likely culprit now. Might be tempted to hit it first as I've read that seems to 'wake them up'.
Click to expand...

Ah, vital info you left out of your first post :poke:
 
T2FFN said:
Hmm, would the starter die so completely from one day to the next to make no effort at turning the engine over?
Click to expand...

In a word - yes.

Happened in my old roadster 3 days before I sold it. Had to fit a new starter on the day of sale. :headbang:

Have you recently fitted a new battery. Often that can make the starter fail....
 
Adamski said:
T2FFN said:
Hmm, would the starter die so completely from one day to the next to make no effort at turning the engine over?
Click to expand...

In a word - yes.

Happened in my old roadster 3 days before I sold it. Had to fit a new starter on the day of sale. :headbang:

Have you recently fitted a new battery. Often that can make the starter fail....
Click to expand...

Agreed. My old Z went in for a service running fine but the next day the starter just gave up with no warning. My bet is the starter is the problem.
 
Picked up a Bosch starter today from ECP. With the rebate on the old starter its only £80 so worth swapping out to see if this is the fix.
 
Fitted the Bosch starter today. I'd been and bought a set of star sockets as I've seen the bolts mentioned as star head, annoyingly there wasn't enough clearance to get the head of the racthet into position to use the socket, however a 10mm closed end spanner did just fine. (and would've saved £16)

Took about an hour due to slow going with the spanner on the two bolts, very limited access so was 1/4 turn at a time.

Refit went much quicker, and started up first time. It sounds so much different to before. Its hard to explain but if you blindfolded me and asked if it was my car I'd say no way. Much more energetic start, sounds like its spinning it to much higher revs to start it.

Took the old starter back to ECP and got the £86 rebate.

Winner. Thanks all.
 
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