Car wouldn't start!?

[Eddie.]

Pretty much as the title. I went to get some cash out this evening, and when I returned to the car, it started, then cut out. I then tried again and it wouldn't start, you could hear what I assumed was the starter motor, but nothing else.

I was low on fuel, but no fuel light, but I was parked on a hill. When the key was turned to stage 3 you could hear a clicking coming from the battery/fusebox area. Anyway the RAC came out and as soon as he got there, it started first time!

Anyone any idea what it could've been?

 

[Eddie.]

Anyone? Guy at work thinks it might be the starter solenoid? Could it be this? Don't want to leave it to chance that it won't happen again? Any thoughts would be appreciated?....

Also, when I tried to start it, it would crank over for a few seconds, then stop. It wouldn't just continually turn over.

 

[James105]

Normally when it cranks for a few seconds and stops it is the immobiliser

 

[Eddie.]

I had heard that, but then why would it start for no reason? And why would immobliser randomly kick in?

I was thinking maybe it could be a bore wash?

 

[Dave Hester]

Lol, it 100% wont be bore wash

Will be a wiring fault or crank sensor problem at a guess

 

[James.f]

Yee i would say tdc sensor is starting to play up, give it a clean and see if the problem continues,

 

[Eddie.]

Lol, it 100% wont be bore wash

Will be a wiring fault or crank sensor problem at a guess

Oh, my bad then, any reason why it won't be?

I'll do some research on the TDC sensor then, see if it needs looking at.

 

[Eddie.]

Right, had a similar problem today, stopped the engine for probably 2-3 mins while I waited for the keyholder this morning, the engine was warm as it had been running for 30 mins! Started the car again and it cut out, same as last time. I tried to start it again and it was fine second time, it started no issues, anyone got any ideas at all?

I haven't had chance to check it, but I was going to have a little bit of investigation this weekend, could it be the TDC sensor as people have said? If so where is it? and what needs doing to it?

 

[poriordan]

hi mate it could be and they will not start when they fail not to expensive from gsf and an easy change so worth starting there its beside the engine on the right hand side under the thermastat housing above the gearbox two 10mm bolts easy peasy hope this helps ya out

 

[Eddie.]

Cheers pal, little nervous of screwing it all up tbh, so its just a case of; Unplug the battery, locate the sensor, unplug the sensor, replace with new one, reconnect battery? That right?

 

[poriordan]

yh dont panic its a doddle one connector and two ten mm bolts and it only fits in one possition mate

 

[Eddie.]

yh dont panic its a doddle one connector and two ten mm bolts and it only fits in one possition mate

Nice one, how long does the battery need to be left disconnected for before I start work on it? half hour?

/n00b I know

 

[poriordan]

no straight away mate i did mine with it connected but its just a precaution

 

[AP'Moss]

It sounds to me like your starter motor is sticking,

If it is your starter motor it may just stick for good in a few days, or weeks and if it does try hitting it with a hammer first (not like a mad mad) firmly. If not try bumping it

Just turn your battery on put it in second, clutch down and get a push/tow let clutch up slowly if it starts it will probably be the starter motor or solenoid

 

[Eddie.]

It sounds to me like your starter motor is sticking,

If it is your starter motor it may just stick for good in a few days, or weeks and if it does try hitting it with a hammer first (not like a mad mad) firmly. If not try bumping it

Just turn your battery on put it in second, clutch down and get a push/tow let clutch up slowly if it starts it will probably be the starter motor or solenoid

It starts though, then cuts out? Surely if it was the starter motor it wouldn't start?

 

[timps]

I had a similar problem last month. Car would start sometimes then not others, then it started doing the same as yours where it would start then cut out straight away.

Took the TDC sensor out and gave it a clean and so far so good, started first time everytime.

Really easy to do and free, worth a go

 

[Jonff]

TDC sensor is really easy to remove Ed. The hardest bit is just trying not to drop the bolts down the in to the engine bay. lol

 

[AP'Moss]

It starts though, then cuts out? Surely if it was the starter motor it wouldn't start?

It could be on its way out, sticking somtimes and starting others, but if it is the starter motor, it will eventually stick all the time.

Just a suggestion mate dont take my would for it but its possible

 

[poriordan]

YHH jonff got a point put bitter tape over the hole little tip if they do fall you are down s**t creak so to speak

 

[Woody1.4]

Hi just to shed a bit or light I had the same problem with my last 1.2 expression I got told it was the tdc sensor so I got one from the local scrappy for free (pocket size) and fitted it, it was fine for a few days and then it just didnt start it would just turn over for a few seconds then cut out so I swapped it back with the old one and still it wouldn't start, i knoticed the immobiliser light was constantly so I then noticed the central locking want working correctly so that was down to the key so got a new key programmed by a top quality fella for 100 quid put the key in gave the battery some life n she lived it was down to the key in the end the motherboard in the key had hairline fracture a common fault I was told that slowly dies I hop this sheds some light and if u want to check the tdc sensor it is under the air box/ filter just unscrew 2 10 mm bolts n disconnect bit of a essay but I hope it helps ( whoop 3rd post haha )