Technical Car won't start

[Bannon]

Punto MK1 1.2 60

Tried to start the girlfriend's car on Saturday and all I got back was a clicking noise. From previous experience I have narrowed it down to the starter motor.

I have tried a number of searches to find out if the a starter motor from a MK2 1.2 punto would fit? Just been to the local breakers here in Swindon and they have one. Had a look and they look identical, same dimensions and number of teeth. It is also rated at 0.8kW.

If anyone can confirm if it would fit this would be great. Need to get the car back on the road

 

[varesecrazy]

hi,
try a different battery 1st..,
then a jump lead from battery to engine earth lead,

starters should all be similar.. the trade say even the number of teeth doesn't matter ..,
charlie - Didcot

 

[Bannon]

Cheers charlie, will give that a go. I have just tested the starter motor with the battery out of the car in the garage and the solinod fires and the motor spins so appears the starter motor is fine afterallafter all.

Will put the car back together on friday and try the engine earth.

Did read on here earlier about an ignition switch. Don't suppose someone could shed a bit more light on this.

 

[fingers99]

I'd suspect battery, earth, charging system, pretty much in that order. Ignition switch failures do happen, but are very much a rarity.

 

[Noddy]

It could be a lazy starter, goes ok on the bench but isnt man enough any more to turn the engine over.

 

[fingers99]

Possible, but I'd swap the battery for a known good one and try the single jumper lead from battery negative to something solid and metalic on the gearbox trick.

 

[varesecrazy]

hi,
try a different battery 1st..,
then a jump lead from battery to engine earth lead,

starters should all be similar.. the trade say even the number of teeth doesn't matter ..,
charlie - Didcot

no Worries.
the switch issue is actually with the contacts ( not sending enough power to starter) see if the battery + oil lights dim when you turn the key.. if they don't then it's not calling for the battery's power = contactor disc at base of ignition lock..,
I still reckon it's the battery though..!!,
do let us know,
Charlie

 

[Bannon]

no Worries.
the switch issue is actually with the contacts ( not sending enough power to starter) see if the battery + oil lights dim when you turn the key.. if they don't then it's not calling for the battery's power = contactor disc at base of ignition lock..,
I still reckon it's the battery though..!!,
do let us know,
Charlie

The lights dim when i try start it which i why i first thought it was starter motor. When i bench tested it, it seemed very lively lol.

I know the car starts when i push start it. I will get everything back together and see what happens with the battery out of my car.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[varesecrazy]

FLAT BATTERY..!!,
most likely,


try the GF's " dead" Battery on your car, then you'll know for sure,

if you're not in a Huge rush,
get a mail-order battery - only @ £43 for a BOSCH,

here's one;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-S4-...arParts_SM&hash=item5d402c9eaf#ht_2574wt_1172
charlie

 

[Bannon]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have just fitted the starter motor, still wouldn't turn over. Connected a jump lead to the battery and gearbox case. Started up perfectly.

The battery and alternator are fine (borrowed a tester from a mate)

Had a wriggle of the earth cable from the battery and now all seems good. So fingers crossed

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have just fitted the starter motor, still wouldn't turn over. Connected a jump lead to the battery and gearbox case. Started up perfectly.

The battery and alternator are fine (borrowed a tester from a mate)

Had a wriggle of the earth cable from the battery and now all seems good. So fingers crossed

Glad it's sorted.. AND you saved £30 on a starter you didn't need,

maybe the earth lead is breaking down internally..?? -old age !

look forward to seeing you both in her punto after Xmas..

 

[Bannon]

yer saved myself a bit of cash.

It did look a bit kinked. Had trouble trying to get to the bolt that is on the engine for the earth cable. but ill cross that bridge when i get to it

 

[flisko]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have just fitted the starter motor, still wouldn't turn over. Connected a jump lead to the battery and gearbox case. Started up perfectly.

The battery and alternator are fine (borrowed a tester from a mate)

Had a wriggle of the earth cable from the battery and now all seems good. So fingers crossed

tester wont show if the alternator brushes are gone, when u jump started the car and turned it off, the brushes probably stopped on the "good" part of the ring if u had uneven wear, thats why car started fine by itself next time when u started it, remove alternator (3 bolts holding it) and check the brushes, u are risking the car shutting down by itself in the middle of driving

http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/...epair-alternator-slip-rings-to-stop-squeaking

 

[Bannon]

Thanks for the information. I have been using the car today and not had a single issue. Started fine every time. Even used it to jump a friends van.

Seems like it was the earth cable seeing as I havent had an issue since I cleaned up the contacts.