406oc.co.uk

Hi there. I've been browsing round the forum as my Dads 406 is having some serious starting issues that we cannot get to the bottom of. He recently had a diag done which revealed no issues at all at that stage.

Basic run down is this. The car will start and run seemingly whenever it feels like, and then will refuse to start and run whenever it feels like it! A new battery seemed to solve the issue for the last couple of weeks, but as of yesterday it was back to its old trick. I replaced the battery yesterday with mine from my golf and it did exactly the same: Turn the key and all the lights go out with the exception of the battery light and no start, no clicking, no anything. Now if you give it a bump/push it will fire and go. Tried the 406 battery on my golf and no issues with starting.

I've just been reading about the TDC sensor on here. Could this be it? I'm guessing that it has nothing to do with the immobiliser since it will start on a bump. It has been like this on and off for the last couple of months. For example after a bump start it will continue to start after being turned off for lets say three/four days, and then for no reason at all, even if only turned off for 5 minutes after a run it will return to refusing to start as above.

Any help much appreciated!

Welcome in mate!
Sounds like a sticky starter motor to me, is it the petrol turbo?

Hi there teamster, thanks for the welcome

Yes it is the petrol turbo. When the starter motor sticks on these I presume it makes no noise of any kind? It's totally silent when you turn the key.

Same car as mine!
Yes it makes no noise at all when the motor sticks.
I had exactly the same problem and had been carrying a bar in the boot to tap the starter motor when it stuck; I did this for about a year until it went completely and I replaced it. Eurocarparts sell new ones, I can't remember the price but it is a fairly easy DIY job.

Many thanks teamster, right on the button sir A quick double tap and it started straight away.

I'll sort out a new starter from euro as you suggested and fit it for my Dad. Thanks for the help

Excellent stuff!