chrispy Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hiya, got back from a wonderful Christmas in Germany, went to start the old girl and... nothing (except for some dash lights and various pumps). She's been standing for three weeks, and was running fine before, so I thought maybe the battery had drained. Got the recharger out and charged the battery (multimeter reads 12.4 volts across the terminals after charging), popped it back in and all the dash lights come on, the clock is working, as are the various pumps, but on turning the ignition to the start position there is nothing. It's not even trying to turn the engine over. Also checked all the wiring, which is in place and seems fine... I'm completely mystified, please help me get her going again... Thanks, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hiya,got back from a wonderful Christmas in Germany, went to start the old girl and... nothing (except for some dash lights and various pumps). She's been standing for three weeks, and was running fine before, so I thought maybe the battery had drained. Got the recharger out and charged the battery (multimeter reads 12.4 volts across the terminals after charging), popped it back in and all the dash lights come on, the clock is working, as are the various pumps, but on turning the ignition to the start position there is nothing. It's not even trying to turn the engine over. Also checked all the wiring, which is in place and seems fine... I'm completely mystified, please help me get her going again... Thanks, Chris Is the starter solenoid clicking? It sounds as if the solenoid is stuck and not throwing forward for both gear engagement and electrical supply. A crude method is to wack the starter with a lump of something heavy (or a hammer if your posh!) whilst someone trys to crank the engine on and off. If it is stuck, you might be lucky and it will come unstuck and never trouble you again, else it might the begining of the end for the solenoid/starter a strip down and clean might also bring her back for a good few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Is the starter solenoid clicking? It sounds as if the solenoid is stuck and not throwing forward for both gear engagement and electrical supply. Thanks for the super quick reply... You might be right, there doesn't seem to be any clicking. Oh and I also checked the car was definitely in park... Can the solenoid be replaced? Is it a straightforward fix? Where can I find it? Thanks, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Depending on what type of starter you've got, some solenoids can be replaced - RTC5049 is the solenoid, costs about £15, for that money they're hardly worth the hassle of stripping and rebuilding unless you're desperate. I think it's Lucas/Bosch starters you can do, Magnetti Marelli ones you can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 costs about £15, for that money they're hardly worth the hassle of stripping and rebuilding unless you're desperate. Jeez, theres money in the south I think it's Lucas/Bosch starters you can do, Magnetti Marelli ones you can't. Perhaps someone could shed further light here, Ive had one MM starter that couldnt be serviced, but two that could?? Chrispy, If ive read your post correctly, your asking where the solenoid is on the car? If so, its on the right, attached to the starter motor, about halfway down the engine behind the exhaust, follow the battery lead to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 If ive read your post correctly, your asking where the solenoid is on the car? If so, its on the right, attached to the starter motor, about halfway down the engine behind the exhaust, follow the battery lead to it. So in other words, not something easy to get to, that I can just unbolt and swap for a new one Thanks for all your help guys, will keep trying... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 So in other words, not something easy to get to, that I can just unbolt and swap for a new one It's not difficult to do, just fiddly - you need to remove the starter motor complete before changing the solenoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 It's not difficult to do, just fiddly - you need to remove the starter motor complete before changing the solenoid. Unfortunately the car is parked on the road and I don't have access to axle stands or ramps, and it strikes me as something I can't easily do from above... Cheers, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Depends how robustly you're built, park with the nearside wheel up on the kerb and lay underneath, should be doable. Either that or collar a small child Just remember to disconnect the battery first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 Depends how robustly you're built, park with the nearside wheel up on the kerb and lay underneath, should be doable. Either that or collar a small child Just remember to disconnect the battery first! He, he, think it'll have to be the small child route, getting it up on the kerb might prove difficult. I have a feeling pushing it by myself will not do the trick, because I seem to have lost my superhero powers somewhere between 2007 and 2008 Maybe a good shock from the battery will restore them... Cheers, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 As mentioned, a sharp tap on the solenoid (I have used the end of a breaker bar to reach down) can free it off and sometimes that's all it takes. Just be careful not to stick anything metal across the contacts on the back of the solenoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Right, turned out to be a dead battery, new fully charged battery and after a bit of struggling she turned over and sprang back into life Thanks all for your help, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Just as an aside, a '12V' car battery should read around 13.2V, *not* 12V when "charged and OK". 12.4V means one or more of the cells are starting to die, and a quick re-charge can boost it, but won't cure it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwriyadh Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Sorry Bowie but you're going to cause someone to junk a usable battery. A lead acid cell has a normal voltage of 2.1volts. For 6 cells that makes 12.6 volts. After you have charged your next battery just flash a headlight bulb across the terminals to settle the charge and you will find 12.6 volts, or you need to re-calibrate your voltmeter. jw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Whoops, sorry, yes, you are 100% right, got myself a bit mixed up there.... :sigh: Been ill recently, think it has affected my brain cells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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