help

[lee]

I really need some help getting my car started
been sat for last 6 months was turning over but now there is nothing not even a click. Have power to both the big cable and small cable on the starter. Is there a way to test the starter in the car or should I just replace

[TopCat]

Clean the earth strap. Probably a bad earth mate

[Mr Raider]

Check battery is fully charged and all connections are where they should be with a good contact. Possibility solenoid could be stuck

[lee]

i've tried to clean the earths but still no joy

[lee]

i did try banging the solenoid but it didn't help, maybe i should just try changing the starter.
i know it will probably be something simple but i just feel stuck

[Mr Raider]

Ok, was the starter sounding healthy on last start up? Only say this as mine was clicking for over a year, then one afternoon at the petrol station it didnt click anymore and it was toast. Melted plastic casing where solenoid joins motor so just replaced it.

If white wire in connector of death is ok, contacts on starter all secure and clean then i would say, jack it up, drivers side front wheel off, drop the exhaust and take the starter motor off mate. ;)

[lee]

i knid of hoped i wouldn't have to change the starter and it would be something simple but i guess i will just replace it and hope all is ok.

[fat roofer]

Just an idea, but my starter sticks every now and then if I leave it sitting, I have to put it into gear, take the handbrake off and rock it forwards (just so the engine turns once) then take it out of gear and try to start it. It works on mine (but night not on yours) but worth a try before changing the starter motor? Good luck with getting it sorted though!

[lee]

anything is work a try,

[TopCat]

Does it bump start?

Check for condensation in your dizzy cap mate.

[lee]

Haven't tried to bump start,

[TopCat]

Haven't tried to bump start,

Obviously you're battery is charged or replaced? Is your fuel pump whirring when cranking? Could be a tdc fault?

What exactly is happening mate? Tell me what you have done (i.e replaced or charged the battery) is the engine turning over?

[lee]

it's a new battery and just to be sure i've had jumper cables on it as well,
before i left it to sit for the last 6 months it was turning over fine, but now when i try it does nothing, can't even hear a click from the starter although when i looked closer at the lights on the dash it does seem the lights dim very slightly,
i've cleaned the earth from the block to the bulkhead (rubbed it back to the bare metal) and also the same for the earth from the bulkhead to battery
i tried tapping the solenoid on the starter while trying to turn it over.
i've checked that i have power to both big wire and little wire on the started which i do
so i guess it can only be the starter

[TopCat]

Sounds it mate- give the starter a light tap with a hammer- probably the solenoid sticking. Probably the original starter!

[lee]

looks like i'm changing the starter then

[TopCat]

looks like i'm changing the starter then

Put a jump lead from your negative terminal on your battery to a real good earth on the engine or gearbox mate. Just to eliminate a fcked earth strap.

[lee]

i'll give that a go

[TopCat]

i'll give that a go

It's happened to loads of people I know mate. Worth a pop

[lee]

anything is worth a try if it means me not having to change the starter, although it will only take a few hours to change

[TopCat]

anything is worth a try if it means me not having to change the starter, although it will only take a few hours to change

You can do them quicker than that mate. Took me about an hour and I'm a diy mechanic.

Disconnect battery. Then the wires. 2 bolts and you're in. Best access is take the offside front wheel off. not a bad job at all

[lee]

last time i changed it i went from under the car, dropped the exhaust and took it out that way

[Romil Davda]

Hi Lee, I see you in Twickers, I am in Staines and more than happy to pop over to give you a hand? i think i might have a spare starter in my garage, worst case will be to put my one off my R5 to confirm (or not) that your starter is fooked!

Drop me a text or call if you need:

Romil 07816 368235

[TopCat]

Hi Lee, I see you in Twickers, I am in Staines and more than happy to pop over to give you a hand? i think i might have a spare starter in my garage, worst case will be to put my one off my R5 to confirm (or not) that your starter is fooked!

Drop me a text or call if you need:

Romil 07816 368235

Bloody hell Romil is your 5 still going? Lol. Hope you're well lad

[scratcher]

last time i changed it i went from under the car, dropped the exhaust and took it out that way

There's a super quick way to do it.
Undo the starter from the gear box from the passenger side.
Jack the car up and remove the drivers side wheel. You'll be able to see up to the starter to disconnect it and wiggle it out through the drivers side wheel arch.
I have mine to do again tomorrow. I've got it down to around 20 minutes now :)

[Bubblebagmagic]

Scratcher I did it that way found a thread on Google was a life saver with clear cut pictures step by step,

[lee]

Hi Lee, I see you in Twickers, I am in Staines and more than happy to pop over to give you a hand? i think i might have a spare starter in my garage, worst case will be to put my one off my R5 to confirm (or not) that your starter is fooked!

Drop me a text or call if you need:

Romil 07816 368235

Hi, thanks for the offer and I might need some help getting my car back on the road

[lee]

20 minutes is suoer quick but I doubt I'll manage to do it that quick

[Mr Raider]

Easier to remove than refit, depends if you have the oe starter heatshield and turbo heatshield in place ;). Did mine a few times last year and was getting quicker and quicker at it lol

[Trevhib]

20 minutes is suoer quick but I doubt I'll manage to do it that quick

Yes but still much quicker than the other way!

[lee]

yeah I do have tbe heat shield in place so will need to remove them first.