Clio 182 not starting

[reece21]

Will get every last bit of info in here:
Drove the car to parent's house and when i pulled up i gave the car a bit of a rev and there was a bit of smoke with a strong burning smell. stopped the car and the smell was from engine bay around the battery area!
Turned the car off and started it again fine. Drove it down the road and back again no problem. Went into Parent's house and when leaving the car wouldn't start. Sometimes it was clicking and other times there was nothing. Called out national rescue and bump started it fine. He tested the battery with the car running and it came back with 14.9 volts so said battery and alternator were fine and it is the starter motor that is shot.
Since getting back to my house i have tried to start the car and on the first occasion noticed the battery light gave a flicker.
I have also tried disconencting the battery and re-connecting and it kept giving off a little spark. All electrics are working fine just not starting.

Is it deffo the starter or maybe a bad earth? Which earths can I check?

 

[cs_dave]

Check earth from battery to the body by headlight.

If you need a starter let me know i have one here £18 posted

 

[JamesBryan]

If it's not even cranking then it's a power problem. Start with the burning smell.

Check battery earth and fuses.

 

[reece21]

Checked the earths behind headlight and they are clean but i gave them a rub down anyway. I've pulled the fuses and re-seated. Could the burning smell have been the solenoid on the starter burning out?
It appears the car sometimes does nothing because the immoboliser is still on and the other times the clicking appears to be coming from the starter motor. it will keep clicking for a few times and then give up.

 

[reece21]

Checked the earths behind headlight and they are clean but i gave them a rub down anyway. I've pulled the fuses and re-seated. Could the burning smell have been the solenoid on the starter burning out?
It appears the car sometimes does nothing because the immoboliser is still on and the other times the clicking appears to be coming from the starter motor. it will keep clicking for a few times and then give up.

More info again:
Turned ignition on and Indicators flickered on and off and the serv light with esp came on. Turned the ignition off again and it cleared. Turned back on and immboliser was stuck. Turned off again and back on and the indicators flickered again with esp light.

 

[JamesBryan]

That's got to be some sort of earth issue.

 

[reece21]

That's got to be some sort of earth issue.

Having a search around the gearbox earth seems the most likely. Gonna give that one a go and will report back.

 

[JamesBryan]

Was the immobiliser light solid or flashing?

 

[reece21]

Was the immobiliser light solid or flashing?

Took the earth strap off and it fell apart in my hands.
Swapped it for one of these as the previous one couldn't be used again: http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...s/halfords-braided-earth-battery-cable-22cm-9

Now the immoboliser is on constantly with a solid red light. I seem to have made the problem worse!!

 

[bloke]

unlock car, turn ignition on, leave for 30 seconds or so and see if the light clears.

 

[reece21]

Scrap that i hadn't closed the car doors and locked it/re-opened. Immobiliser reset itself and all working. It was the earth/ground strap on the gearbox. I removed the passenger wheel and a piece of the arch liner and it is visible. The body and terminals were not corroded but the strap itelf was green and basically fell apart in the middle when i removed it. I bought the 22mm braided earth from halfords and drilled the hole bigger on one of the terminal ends as it was too small for the one bolt. Hopefully this helps someone in the future with wierd starting problems. Thanks for your help with suggesting the electrics.