Help! My car won't start!

[teamster1975]

This one has stumped me! Thankfully it happened at home!
The car allows you to enter the immob code and the light goes to green, however when you try to turn the car over there is nothing at all.
I found an old post by dragonslayer which suggested starter motor dead, however would you not still hear the starter relay click?
I know I've got to get a meter on the starter motor while someone turns the key (not tonight!) but if anyone has any more experience or advice I would be very grateful!
Thanks everyone

Edit: Battery is good, tried it off booster battery etc
Another Edit: Can anyone tell me where abouts the starter motor is on this lump please?

[HimBigChief]

Is it not at the front under the inlet manifold (in the middle and attached to both engine and gearbox)? That's where most XU starters are.

[mjb]

You should hear the relay I'd have thought... Fuses? Dead relay?

On the ES9J4 the starter's under the front exhaust manifold, just about accessible from underneath. It's a big cylinder about 2" diameter by about 6" long with a quarter sphere where it goes into the bell housing

[teamster1975]

Fuses are all ok, I'll have a proper go at it tomorrow. Bloody cars!
Actually is the relay integral to the start motor? I found this on euros and there's an extra bit to the side of the motor with terminals on it.

[steve_earwig]

That'll be the solenoid - pre-engaged starter motors incorporate the relay (aka solenoid) which first engages the drive pinion with the ring gear on the flywheel then connects the power. There should be a small spade connector on it, this'll be the feed from the ignition switch, you could either enlist the help of Mrs Teamy and get her to turn the key while you check this gets 12v or apply 12v to it manually (make sure it's out of gear!!)

[HimBigChief]

If the starter motor clicks when the key is turned then the solenoid is trying to engage the starter, but the starter is stuck. If this happens, try whacking the starter a few times with something fairly solid (I used to use the 1/2" extension bar from my socket set on a previous Pug) and try again.

If the solenoid doesn't click, then check for 12V to the spade terminal. There's also a bigger wire direct from the battery to the starter so make sure it's the spade terminal you're checking and not the constant 12V supply. If it needs replacing then I find it easier to do it from underneath and it takes between 1/2hr and an hour to change. This applied to changing the starters on the old 1.9 8V petrol and Mi16 engines, but the diesel XU blocks are more or less the same.

[mjb]

bloody hell that's some solenoid!!!!!

HBC: Matt's got a tubby - XU10J2TE - 2.0 8v petrol turbo

Dunno how those things are wired, but get a multimeter on it. For an easier time though, get a multimeter probe from Maplins. Fantastic little thing. Take a fuse out of the fusebox and put it in the probe then plug the probe in its place. Perfect for measuring current (ie if something's working) in a car circuit without splicing into any wires

[Welly]

You used to be able to rock the car back and forth a bit (in gear) if the starter's playing up!

[/nothing better to suggest]

[HimBigChief]

HBC: Matt's got a tubby - XU10J2TE - 2.0 8v petrol turbo

Doh! I was close, ish, well not at all really, but what I said above still applies. Starter's still in the the same place and mounted the same, and I'm 99% sure that they're the same starter.

Any joy with the diagnostics Matt?

[teamster1975]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
I got home from work about half an hour ago so I won't get a chance to hit it with a hammer until tomorrow
(In other words I'm hungry, have a cold beer and can't be bothered! )
Cheers though chaps, I'll report back when I've had a proper look!

[jasper5]

If all your dash lights are lit and don't flicker when you turn the key the problem is starter related, if the dash lights flicker and go dim as you turn the key, it's battery related.

To find your starter, trace the positive battery lead to its end, it bolts to the starter. If you can get at the small and large wire on the starter, flash a wire across the terminals, if nothing happens when you do that the starter is dead.Make sure the car is out of gear when you do that.

As usual, be careful.

[teamster1975]

Thanks Jasper, I've not had to play with a starter on a car as of yet! Bikes however...

[teamster1975]

The car is being a tart and working perfectly today

[Captain Jack]

The car is being a tart and working perfectly today

Just like in IT - leave the problem for long enough and it will fix itself.