Help VS Won't Start

[Jon Z]

My VS wouldn't start so i suspected the battery as its been there for over 3 yrs now and put new one in and it won't even kick.

I can hear the fuel pump prime and relays click when i turn the key to the on position but when i turn to start the starter motor clicks, as if it was going to start but then nothing happens (it doesn't crank).

I have checked for error codes and found nothing, plugs and leads were replaced a year ago. Not sure what it might be, coil pack at any chance?

It wouldn't be the key not connecting the metal tabs on the ignition barrel at all would it because it goes to start but the starter motor clicks once and thats it?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

[AttaBoy]

does the motor crank?? If not it could be the starter motor. or the starter solenoid.

[Jon Z]

Yeh doesnt crank (said that first lol), the starter clicks but engine doesn't turn over all, so if its the starter solenoid roughly how much am i looking at, do u mean the starter relay in the fuse box? or solenoid on the starter itself. Sorry if that makes no sense i don't know much about electronics at all.

[AttaBoy]

Go the cheapest option first.. I think the battery might be cheaper. I'm not sure. As you said the battery is like 3 years old then it might be a good time to change it even if the battery is not the cause of the problem.

I changed my starter motor a while ago and can't remember the cost. (sorry) but Its not too expensive. If you going to keep the car for a while then I suggest you replace the whole assembly (Starter and solenoid) as it would save you trouble in winter.

Edit: Whoops no winter for you, you in Queensland.

[Jon Z]

Go the cheapest option first.. I think the battery might be cheaper. I'm not sure. As you said the battery is like 3 years old then it might be a good time to change it even if the battery is not the cause of the problem.

I changed my starter motor a while ago and can't remember the cost. (sorry) but Its not too expensive. If you going to keep the car for a while then I suggest you replace the whole assembly (Starter and solenoid) as it would save you trouble in winter.

Edit: Whoops no winter for you, you in Queensland.

lol ppl don't seem to be reading my post properly. As I said the battery was 3yrs old so I replaced that (just this morning). Still wouldn't crank so i checked error codes again, all fuses etc and couldn't find anything out of ordinary.

Also rang spare parts and they seem to think it might be solenoid.

Thanks for the ideas

[r_i_d_a_h]

woopz..lol we should really read you posts thourghly

[andyman]

have you tried bending the tabs out a little bit in the key barrel yet?

[immortality]

try turning the engine over slightly by hand, and then on the starter. if it does start then you probably have a damaged ringgear. otherwise you're in for a new starter solenoid at least but it's probably best to either get a complete new unit or get yours reco'd

[DannyboyDS]

check the power connections to the starter too, I had an old XE (Sorry) and the positive power cable came off of it at the back, it had broken somehow, anyway, it would rest in its correct position at times, but when i went to start the engine it would jump off with the movement.

couldn't it also be the ignition system, coil packs and whatnot?

[Jon Z]

Yeah tried the key tabs and turning the engine over by hand. When turning it by hand the starter clicks once (like there is backlash between the starter gear and flywheel). when trying to start it by key after turning by hand it gives a louder clunk and then trying again does nothing so in other words the starter motor isn't turning at all. Im pretty sure its gotta b the solenoid or the motor itself

Thanks

[Jon Z]

check the power connections to the starter too, I had an old XE (Sorry) and the positive power cable came off of it at the back, it had broken somehow, anyway, it would rest in its correct position at times, but when i went to start the engine it would jump off with the movement.

couldn't it also be the ignition system, coil packs and whatnot?

yeh i can't tell if its the coil packs as the engine isn't cranking at all anymore. It slowly started doing this last week (hesitating to start at times) and I assumed coil packs and battery at first, but since the engine isn't turning at all it has to be the starter and/ or solenoid problems or wiring.

[AttaBoy]

Sorry didn't read your post properly!!! While I was reading at work and my boss was approaching so had to read quickly!!!!

[kopper69]

Whats the battery voltage mate? If it has been starting, but slowly failing, it may just be that the battery isnt getting charged properly. Dieing battery will have similar problems to those you are describing. Just to be sure, check battery voltage while the car is at rest, and try and start the car and see what it drops to. Easy way to make sure its not just the battery.

[Jon Z]

Whats the battery voltage mate? If it has been starting, but slowly failing, it may just be that the battery isnt getting charged properly. Dieing battery will have similar problems to those you are describing. Just to be sure, check battery voltage while the car is at rest, and try and start the car and see what it drops to. Easy way to make sure its not just the battery.

The new battery voltage was right on 12V and the old one was on 11.5 but dropped way down when trying to start car, new one isn't dropping anywhere near what the old one did for obvious reasons. I'm pretty sure its the starter solenoid or the whole starter motor itself, its at auto elec's now so will hopefully know by this arvo some time.

[Jon Z]

Starter motor was stuffed, brand new one incl fitting for $240, starts better than it ever has.

Thanks for the help