Hi and some help please :)

[eka6484]

First off, my name is Eric and it's nice to "meet" you all!

I have a 2001 406 LX 1.8 (petrol) that has a starting issue which is slowly getting worse. For some reason it would only start if I had not used it for at least a couple of hours or left it over night. So I could not turn the car off while dropping the kids off at school as it would not start again. All the lights, dash and stereo would come on, there would be a single click sound each time I turned the key but the car would not start.
Now it wont start even from cold. I still get that click sound and sometimes the engine sounds as if its about to turn over but stops. As you can tell I am not mechanically minded so I really don't know what to do!
I have sent it to a garage but I cant remember 100% what they said (that sounds so bad but I really do have a bad memory). He might have said I need a new cram shaft but I've been told that's expensive.

Thanks and any help would be very much appreciated!

[highlander]

Welcome along! I used to have a 1999 model 1.8 LX saloon - great car, but I found the trim level to be a little bit mean (mine didn't have front fog lights, and only the front windows were electrically operated; the rears had manual winders). The engine is also pretty bullet-proof - I never had any problems with mine - and the only reason I changed to the Coupe was that I found the engine to be a little bit on the gutless side and made overtaking on single-carriageway A-roads a bit difficult.

might have said I need a new cram shaft

If that's what he said, steer well clear of that garage ... If the car has difficulty starting, but once it starts, runs just fine, I don't believe the camshaft (or any other part relating to timing, such as the timing belt or its tensioners) are liable to be the cause of this fault.

It sounds like an intermittent electrical problem to me. If the engine isn't even trying to turn over, then the issue could well be a dodgy starter motor, or the connection between the battery and the starter motor. It could even be the battery itself - an old, failing battery can be responsible for a lot of odd electrical problems on a modern car.

My recommendations are:

1) Swap the battery out with a known good one of similar type

... and if that fails ...

2) Replace the starter motor - new ones go for around the £50 - £60 mark, but you can get used ones on eBay for under £20

If the problem still persists, I'd be surprised - but take it in to another garage (not a Peugeot dealership unless you have no other choice - main dealers have been known to charge extortionate prices!) and ask them what they think the problem is.

[nutski]

I agree with Highlander, my mind definately goes towards starter motor, one thing you could try if it will not start and is an intermittent problem, put the car in gear, take the hand brake off and try to rock the car back and forth a few times as this could help release a jammed starter and then try to start the car, not a permanent solution but could get you moving.

[eka6484]

Hello guys thanks for your hello's and advise! I'm going up Kevin Coopers now to get a battery and I will keep you informed!

[eka6484]

Well, after spending £77 on a new battery I went and fitted but no joy . My next step will be to get a garage to fit a new starter motor as I have no clue on how to fit one myself.
Thanks guys, I just hope this sorts it!