she wont turn over 8o( help!

[jamie190382]

Sooooo only had my gt11 for a few weeks. Sent her in for a service and she was running fine. But now she won't turn over. I put the key in and turn it but it won't tick over at all. The lights and radio are coming on. So I'm guessing a flat battery is out of the equastion. Just stuck on what the problem could be.

Can some one please help. Lol

Jamie 8o)

[Village Idiots]

Does it make any noises when you turn the key?

[jamie190382]

yeah it does a little bit bit its more of a clicking noise and a wurring. A freind mentioned to hit the starter motor with something heavy... how does that sound?

[Funky Diver]

Sounds like a good plan to me...

It may be something simple and daft like hte starter motor siezing, but might be an indicator that it's on it's way out. You should check that the connections on the starter motor are sound first though, pointless beating it to death if it's just a loose wire!

[Chaps]

If you dont fancy hitting it, rock the car back and forth in gear (1st or 2nd) and try it again, might just be the starter cant engage.

[jamie190382]

cool... this is probably a stupid question but where abouts is the starter motor. its in an automatic too. does someone have a diagram or photo.

[Funky Diver]

It should be on the front of the engine, infront of the gear box (so right hand side of the engine as you're looking at it from the front of the car) At least that's where it is on a manual. It looks like a round canister with another smaller round canister attached.

[Nate]

I put the key in and turn it but it won't tick over at all.

not meaning to sound like i'm taking the piss, but what do you mean by 'tick over'?

this is something i commonly come accross at work. tick-over is when the engine is running, but doing nothing. rev counter will be indicating just under 1000 revs. i suspect you mean the engine isn't turning over.

if all you're getting is a clicking from under the bonnet, this would suggest that the battery is flat or the connection to the starter is poor. try this: turn headlights on then try to start. watch what happens to the lights. if they only dim slightly this would tend to suggest the battery is ok, and you've got a poor connection to the starter. if the lights dim loads, or even go out then your battery is probably flat. if nothing at all happens to the lights, this would suggest that the battery is fine, and the starter isn't being switched for some reason.

have you tried bump starting it? get some mates to push you down the road. have the ignition on (key turned, dash lights on) have it in 2nd gear with your foot on the clutch. when you get a bit of speed up, give it some gas and briskly bring the clutch up. engine should start.

has it been stood for a while? has it been a bit lazy starting recently?

[Funky Diver]

have you tried bump starting it? get some mates to push you down the road. have the ignition on (key turned, dash lights on) have it in 2nd gear with your foot on the clutch. when you get a bit of speed up, give it some gas and briskly bring the clutch up. engine should start.

Will that work on an atuo box? Admitedly IU've only ever owned one auto and that was a metro... you couldn't do ANYTHING with that to try and jump it.

[Nate]

no, won't work on an auto. i had missed that bit

[jamie190382]

ok soooo i have checked the battery and that is totally fine. Hit the starter motor with a wooden block and didnt work. so im guessing its the starter motor. How much is one going to cost me and does anyone have a spare one for sale?

Do many things go wrong with them?

ta

[Nate]

if you look at the starter you will see a big red wire that is held on with a nut and a small wire (probably red and black) that has a push on spade connector. 1st off, make sure this lettle wire is on nice and tight. if it isn't pull it off, squish it slightly so it grips tighter then refit it and try again.

assuming it is ok, try this making sure the car is in neutral first. can't stress that enough. worth getting someone to sit in the car with their foot on the clutch. if this does work and the car is in gear it will run you over. get a small bit of wire, hold one end on the little spade connector on the starter and touch the other end onto the big red wire, or onto the positive on the battery. if the starter is good it will fire up

[Nate]

assuming it does start, you're looking at either the ignition switch or wiring being at fault. if it still doesn't start, check that the wire to the battery negative onto the gearbox and chassis leg is in good condition and is nice and tight and conections are clean and free from corrosion. clean and tighten as needed. do the same with the big red on, but these are far less prone to problems

[Chaps]

assuming it is ok, try this making sure the car is in neutral first. can't stress that enough. worth getting someone to sit in the car with their foot on the clutch.

In Netural or Park... with foot on the brake just to be sure.

[jamie190382]

all done now... it was the starter motor. was in peices and someone painted it balack and stuck it togeter with what i can only assume was chewing gum. bless em ples there was only one bolt holding it in place. no wonder she wouldnt start.

have asked for some new parts so check out parts wanted. gosh its neverending atm.

thanks for all the help too.