172 Cup won't start

[DanDennehy]

Help, I can't get my 172 Cup to start after being parked outside for 5 days

When I turn the key, absolutely nothing happens except a clicking noise from the front passenger footwell.

The immobiliser light (red dot between the stop and the service light) is flashing when i get in the car, it glow red when I turn the ignition on and then goes completely out.

Changed the battery, it's made no difference. Can't see any problems with the fuses either. I can lock and unlock the car at will, no problems there

Any ideas?

Dan

 

[James.f]

Could be the starter motor is sticking, give it a bash with a mallet(rubber hammer) should release it, then try again.

 

[DanDennehy]

Weird ... breakdown man comes out, tries to start it, nowlt happens. Shines his torch around a bit, tries it again ... it starts. Looks at me totally mystified, but it's up and running. We turn it on and off a few times, it seems fine. Hoooray ... but WTF?

The only thing he did different to me was leave the ignition on for ages, couple of minutes while he was looking round, rather than turn it off.

Could be the starter motor is sticking, give it a bash with a mallet

Yeah me and the breakdown man thought that might be it. But we found out that you can't get at the starter, it's down the back of the engine near the exhaust manifold, and covered up with a shield. Thanks anyhow.

I've told the fella to sell his hands on eBay cos he's clearly got a magic touch lol

Dan

 

[lemonnobby]

when the battery goes flat the immob doesnt like it so you may have fixed it

 

[DanDennehy]

Maybe but I think the immobiliser was OK, as described at the start of the thread the immob light was going out after a few seconds.

I was reading around the forum a bit whilst I waited for Mr Breakdownman, from what I can gather it would seem like the starter motor is dying

 

[Sean6545]

Sticky starter

 

[James.f]

Yeah me and the breakdown man thought that might be it. But we found out that you can't get at the starter, it's down the back of the engine near the exhaust manifold, and covered up with a shield. Thanks anyhow.

I've told the fella to sell his hands on eBay cos he's clearly got a magic touch lol

Dan

Ye i kno were it is that why i mentioned smacking it, theres a gap enough big between manifold tubes 2-3. i dont have a heatsheild on mine at the mo but when it got stuck i just smacked it and its been fine.

Just keep a eye on it, make sure the battery is chargin enough aswell or immob light wont let it start.

 

[maz172cup]

Sticky starter

+1

can happen in freezing temps, happened alot with my old R5 I use to give it a big kick and it always started,
had to explain to the buyer why the panels had so many dents lol

 

[DanDennehy]

Thanks folks, yes I totally agree, sticking starter. Basically it won't start at all now, but it will start after you rock the car when it is in gear

Can't wait to stall it at the traffic lights ...

 

[TimR26]

Exactly that happened with my car, called out the AA then it started first time and been fine since.