Car won't start

[Jamturbo]

Oh no, car won't start.

All the lights come on but it doesn't crank. I thought it was the battery so replaced it. Still same problem.

Hooked up Carly but cleared issues to check again. Now no issues show up but car won't.start.

Would appreciate some pointers as to what I can check.

Thanks

 

[Chris_D]

Give the starter motor a sharp tap while someone attempts to crank it for you. Give it a couple of goes.
If it starts your starter motor is on the way out.

 

[sw4nny]

Oh no, car won't start.

All the lights come on but it doesn't crank. I thought it was the battery so replaced it. Still same problem.

Hooked up Carly but cleared issues to check again. Now no issues show up but car won't.start.

Would appreciate some pointers as to what I can check.

Thanks

As said,i also had the no start problem on my last z changed battery still wouldnt start,new starter motor and all good again

 

[mmm-five]

Does the starter motor solenoid ‘click’ when you try to start?

If it does, then it lends itself to starter motor. If it doesn’t it might just be the solenoid.

 

[Jamturbo]

Thanks. Gave it a whack and it tried to start. I am on my own so couldn't try turning the key and whacking it at the same time. It has at least confirmed it is the starter motor rather than something else. Looks like a horrible job.

 

[Jamturbo]

I hear a single click.

 

[Jamturbo]

I have searched for the 'how to' with little joy. Does anyone know if the replacement process is easier from the top or bottom. Thanks.

 

[markplant]

Could be ignition switch

 

[pp1600]

Mine does the same on occasion .Ignition switch.

try the key rotated 180 degrees.. always works for me.

 

[Mike6]

Starter motor is a a fairly easy job and not that expensive if you buy from ECP. Access is from top of engine but you need to remove air filter housing etc. Think it took me about 2 hours.

 

[Jamturbo]

Thanks all.

@Mike6 - did you have to remove the manifold or just air pipes?

 

[Jamturbo]

OK, found what I was after. Manifold removal not necessary. Happier now.
Will tackle as soon as the new starter arrives.

 

[Zedebee]

Same thing happened to me when I had an Audi TT that failed to start. Called out the AA and was surprised when the recovery man came at it with a lump hammer. Sure enough, a solid blow to a piece of wood braced against the starter and she fired up straight away. Best to replace, as it will keep happening more often and at the most inconvenient moments.

 

[colb]

Classic starter motor failing, just had it with my 2.5 no warning, went to start it, all the lights on the dash but wouldn't crank. Hit it a few times with a hammer and it started working. Gave it a few starts and it then died completly. disconnect the battery then remove the electrical connections on the starter followed by the two bolts holding it in place at the top of the bell housing. Wiggle the motor out and fit the replacement in reverse order. I used a ring ratchet spanner on the torx head bolts just enough room to get them undone and do up.

 

[Lucidnonsence]

Mine went last year, from perfectly ok, to dead. No inbetween, no nothing. Is quite easy to sort though, and not that expensive.

 

[Jamturbo]

Well the new Bosch starter motor arrived a couple of days ago and I fitted it today. Not too bad to get it out but lost about 20 mins putting it back. Tried for the easier life by securing the terminals to the starter first, my mistake! Too difficult to manoeuvre this way so eventually took them off and it went in a lot easier. Reconnected terminals after without any difficulty. Anyway, first try and it fired up very quickly. I am feeling very accomplished and pleased with myself. Now for the vanos jobbie tomorrow.

 

[Jamturbo]

Well, new Bosch starter arrived a couple of days ago and I fitted it today. Fired up very quickly so glad that was the problem. Happy days and hope for better tomorrow when I tackle the vanos and piston rebuild.

 

[Mikerpsr]

Was car even clicking when trying to start? Been working on brake, wheel,& tire extensive upgrades and now when finished I have full power from a 1 yr old battery with 12.2 v when trying to crank. Everything working and no codes and starter doesn’t even click. Aaaaargh

 

[colb]

Seems like starter motors die without advance warning, had it with mine and some others reported the same when theirs gave up.
Was easy enough to pull the old one out and fit the replacement.

 

[Jamturbo]

Sorry for delay in my update. I managed to install the starter motor and I had fingers crossed before turning the key. I need not have worried because it fired up instantly. Wish I had done a step by step 'how to' for ours but I was totally focused in getting the car started. Little tip, wriggle the new starter in place and then adjust slighty to attach the power cables. The red live cable is too rigid and will hamper your fitting if you try to attach it first.