car won't start

[ripp]

went out this evening and after a few stops the car refused to start.
after turning the ignition on and attempting to start nothing happened, the dash lights turn off like normal but no other noise or anything. dropped down the window and the fuel pump is ok, you can hear it no problem. I also checked all the fuses (behind the dash and those under the hood). The battery also is ok (only about 12-18 months old), the lights are working as they should, windows, stereo, everything I could think of.
I'm not really into electrical stuff and maybe you could give me a hint before going to the dealer
thanks!

 

[ripp]

heelp! I'll need the car by tomorrow morning

 

[mantis946]

Have you tried the TDC sensor ? killed mine, just makes a clicking noise when attempting to start. Good way to test this is to take a spark plug out and try start it and see if it sparks

GL

 

[stuart87]

mine does that aswel, still havent fixed it but was thinking its my starter motor

 

[ekaJ]

Try the connection on starter motor.

 

[ripp]

Have you tried the TDC sensor ? killed mine, just makes a clicking noise when attempting to start. Good way to test this is to take a spark plug out and try start it and see if it sparks

GL

no clicking noise when attempting to start, just silence..
I hope I won't need another motor, I'll try to jump start soon and then go to check it out somewhere

 

[ripp]

Try the connection on starter motor.

you mean connect/reconnect and clean if the case?

 

[Jonff]

When mine was playing up and not starting, it was down to the starter motor, try the TDC sensor 1st though as it's cheaper and a common issue, try removing it and giving it a clean.

 

[ripp]

it's not even turning over, thought that even if the TDC has issues it'll still try to turn. correct me if wrong. anyway, I'll give that a check too if can't jump start first. hope the rain stops now..

 

[Jonff]

it's not even turning over, thought that even if the TDC has issues it'll still try to turn. correct me if wrong. anyway, I'll give that a check too if can't jump start first. hope the rain stops now..

Ah right, I was always lead to believe it'd stop it turning over as well.

Try giving the starter solenoid a tap with something as that can get stuck, I used a thin bar through the manifold to hit it with when mine played up. Or as you've mentioned, bump start it.

 

[mantis946]

TDC sensor's can stop the engine cranking, only when the connection is completely shot though. When mine went both the starter and the TDC died together

 

[ekaJ]

you mean connect/reconnect and clean if the case?

It happened to me, was working fine then went to turn on again and it wouldnt, just a click when trying.

I made sure relays were in and pulled the wire of starter motor and put back on tight.

Dunno if its the same?

 

[ripp]

5 min ago me and a friend of mine went out to bump start the car. you should've seen the look on our faces when it started by itself.
my conclusion: after 15 hours of cooling down the starter motor got cold again and magic happened

 

[Jimbo-Clio]

Could be imobilizer troubles try using the spare key for a few days if you have one?

other things tht prevent firing

coil packs
Crank shaft Sensor
Fuel Sensor
Starter motor
Battery

 

[Jonff]

Sounds exactly like mine, have you got a heat shield on the starter motor? Mine didn't and the manifold was cooking the starter motor. It had a new starter and the problem came back after about 2months, fitted the heatshield and it seems to have cured the problem.

 

[James.f]

Jonff, were did you get the heatshield from and price if you can remember?

my starter is on the way out, keeps making a loud crunchy noise everytime till about 5-6 times and it starts, got a motor ready to go on but cant find heatshield,

 

[ripp]

i'll go check if mine has the shield, although IIRC there was no job done to the car in that area

 

[Jonff]

Jonff, were did you get the heatshield from and price if you can remember?

my starter is on the way out, keeps making a loud crunchy noise everytime till about 5-6 times and it starts, got a motor ready to go on but cant find heatshield,

Try Steve79 off here mate, got my 1st one off him, I ended up breaking that one and Steve didn't have anymore at the time so I got another one off a lad on here. Stick a wanted thread up too because now and then people do have them. Paid £8 posted for each of them.

 

[ripp]

the start issue is somehow gone for the moment, but....
pushed it hard in 1st gear at a traffic light and suddenly lost power, and the rectangle with the zig-zag line in the middle appeared on the dash. so the car won't go above 2800-3000 rpm. stopped the car immediately and started again. the same symbol remains bright and even in neutral it won't go past 3k rpm
could this be it? could this be the moment when things go down one by one?
really hope not. any suggestions welcomed

 

[ripp]

forgot to mention: floored it on the highway about 20 mins before that happened, I went 140 several times. Could this be causing the problem above?