Technical Punto Mk2 will not starter - starter motor issue?

Currently reading:
Technical Punto Mk2 will not starter - starter motor issue?

macbrew

New member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
6
Points
2
I turned the key in the ignition this morning and my car would not start.
There was no "coughing" like the engine was not cranking at all.
Headlights, radio etc all worked.
Dash lights did not flicker that I noticed when trying to crank.

I asked a builder with a van if I could get a jump. He drove around on a steamroller (yes, an actual factual steamroller) to jump my car. It didn't work. Just didn't seem to crank.

The builders very kindly push started my car, and engine ran fine all the way to work (16miles). I assume this means that if the starter motor had got "stuck" it should now be "unstuck". It had an engine warning light when it finally started, but I imagine this was due to push starting it. I'll check the code later today.

After I parked up, I tried starting again. Same condition as earlier - didn't seem to crank.

So:
- Battery has some juice
- Car doesn't jump start
- Car does push start and runs fine once started

It's worth mentioning that it's been a little slow to start up recently, coughing a little before starting. I got the battery checked at Halfords - they said the battery itself was fine but a little low on charge.


Any help appreciated - there are only so many parking spaces at work that are on a hill!
 
I always go by the three golden rules, a car needs 3 things to start. Air, fuel and spark. I think back to basics would be best, like you said read the code that would give you an indication of where to start looking.

Could be starter motor, worth having a look seeing as it's not turning over. Get the code and go from there.
 
Heya macbrew:)

Check the earthing strap aswell that leads to the battery terminal? Mine was completely mullered which caused similar issues, bought a sec-hand one from eBay and was fortunate to get one in good nick. Cleaned up the the terminals as well as anchoring points for good conductivity and sparks for good measure too.Car has been fine since;). It's not going to cost you anything so check the earthing strap out, if not that then may be another issue, as you mentioned a warning light came on?

I'm sure more suggestions will follow...(y)
 
Thank you for suggestions both, but it is now fixed! for the time being.
Hit the starter motor with a hammer (gently!)
It wasn't clicking on cranking so reckon the solenoid got stuck.
For those interested, the code was Vehicle Speed Sensor A - I had this a few months back, cleared it and it's only just reappeared. I think unrelated.

Been advised that this is likely to happen again - anyone have further advice on this? how easy is it to replace a starter motor?
 
starter needs sorting soonest
or
you risk damaging the teeth on the flywheel
or
starter sticks on and car burns out


easy to swap with basic tools and some car knowledge:)
 
Thank you for suggestions both, but it is now fixed! for the time being.
Hit the starter motor with a hammer (gently!)
It wasn't clicking on cranking so reckon the solenoid got stuck.
For those interested, the code was Vehicle Speed Sensor A - I had this a few months back, cleared it and it's only just reappeared. I think unrelated.

Been advised that this is likely to happen again - anyone have further advice on this? how easy is it to replace a starter motor?

hammer or a brick = mandatory in a car
 
When you turn the key
You get a click from the key but then "nothing" from the starter?

I had this several times from my old punto
I think it was a "damaged" wire to the Starter motors solenoid, which meant it never passed current to the motor, and the pinion never was moving to engage with the flywheel

My advice is to try the tap tap metod (stick of wood and hammer) to see if it "shocks" loose

But if it doesn't, strip it out

But remember to disconnect the battery!

The starter has an UNFUSED, direct battery feed, so you short it out - it'll come with a zap or flames

starter motor is DIY on the punto, visually very little room tho

Studying the Big diagrams in the guides section may forwell help here!

If you were near me - i'd happily pop up and remove it and test :)

If starter is at fault, i'd be trying a donor car cheap if money is tight, but its roulette, and could fail again

New = ££$£$£$£

Ziggy
 
no fuse, thats smart fiat

it could also be worn out alternator brushes, u hear a click and then nothing, easier to check than starter

Tbh you find alot of staters DONT have fuses
Because they can pull and handle some serious load....

A diesel engine on a cold day will pull some serious amperage,

Only problem you'd get is if the cable snapped off and touched the body
As this is will cause a wire somewhere to melt....

Ziggy
 
basics - dash lights not dimming on trying to start rules out the battery and stuck on starter - youngests 2001 mk2 1.2 did exactly this on Saturday -got her home as you can;t reach the starter easily from above - checked engine bay master fuses, check continuity on the ignition switch - red = power from fuse box @ c.12v ign switch on, then check c.12v on the brown wire when 'cranking' proves it's not the ign switch. Check for continuity on the brown wire between ignition switch and at the start motor end = O ohms ties it down to the starter,,, jack her up battery disconnected, air box removed for ease of viewing the top mounting bolt (13mm) remove 2 lower mounting bolts slide out to unbolt the solenoid and main starter cable - take off motor, check with separate battery - no pulling in of solenoid -- 'back in olden days' you could swap out the solenoid and whilst it will unbolt clearly not meant to be a consumable item to replace - A E COOKS of Scunthorpe open til 13.00 Sundays so £66+vat later shimmy back under and bolt up 'new' motor - find out the new solenoid connecting 'post' is now a male spade connector - cut off ring and crimp on female spade, replace air box, put car back on wheels & bingo 100% success for once by following basics and being logical - car starts way quicker (a slight hesitancy to start when warm on occasion put done to old battery - that was clearly an early warning the starter was on it's way out)
 
Back
Top