Likely to be the starter?

[Darren S]

I've touched on this in other posts, but I'm getting a weird non-crank issue when the car is warm and I go to start it. Absolutely nothing - lights, fans and dash comes on fine, but will not attempt to spin over.

First thing in the morning - it fires up no issue. If I leave it at work all day and then head home, again - no problem.

The last couple of days, I've got home and switched it off. Tried to restart it and it fired up again. Got back home tonight and repeated that, only to be met with total silence once more.

Went out about two hours later to try and start it - it cranked once and then stopped. Trying the key once more again, was complete silence.

It seems closely linked to how warm the engine is. Is the likely culprit a sticking solenoid in the starter itself?

 

[Matt Cup]

Have you got the heat shield on the starter?

 

[Brigsy]

Might be wiring. Check all connections and check the starter exciter wire is giving a good 12v in the crank position.

 

[Clio_fool]

If its the starter just burn the car now. Absolute c**t of a thing to swap.

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

I had the odd non start issue on my old 182.

Turned out to be the starter relay in the fuse box. (G) On diagram.

When it does it again, swap G relay with E and see if that does anything.

 

[Adamm.]

I had similar issues on my old 182 and it was the connectors for the starter had corroded. Worth a try cleaning them up as it's a fairly easy fix.

 

[Sash]

Literally just done this job on my Megane. The most frustrating thing ever driving somewhere then it not starting without a bump 🤦🏼‍♀️ of which I owe a MASSIVE thanks to Ash Gourlay and the other random dude for pushing me round a muddy farm track in the pitch black a while back when it wouldn’t start 🤦🏼‍♀️

My advice… give it to someone else to do 🤣

 

[Darren S]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone - aiming to get the starter swapped with Nightingales as soon as they have availability.

As far as I'm aware, the heatshield should still be in place as I've certainly never moved it. I believe from the engine rebuild pics I had at AW Motorworks five years ago, it's still visible on there too. Corroded connectors do sound like a likely candidate also - especially as the start is the original item.

I'll definitely try that relay swap that James suggests tonight as well - see if that makes any difference.

 

[Gus]

Might just be the cable to the starter.

This will take 5 mins and well worth a go:

There is a spade connector that is attached to the starter motor.

Wait till the car is cold then stick your hand between the middle two exhaust manifold pipes and get right down to the starter. Feel for the spade connector and see if it's loose.

With a pair of pliers squeeze the connector on the cable to make it bite on to the spade a bit more.

 

[Darren S]

Might just be the cable to the starter.

This will take 5 mins and well worth a go:

There is a spade connector that is attached to the starter motor.

Wait till the car is cold then stick your hand between the middle two exhaust manifold pipes and get right down to the starter. Feel for the spade connector and see if it's loose.

With a pair of pliers squeeze the connector on the cable to make it bite on to the spade a bit more.

I assume it's worth disconnecting the battery first before putting my hand anywhere down there....

Check on the relays earlier and swapped G with E. Made no difference unfortunately. The retaining clip for the relay cover snapped off as well when I was taking the cover off. Not sure if that will rattle like a b**ch now.

 

[Brigsy]

Clip snapping off the fusebox lid is standard, be fine without. All of mine are the same

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

I assume it's worth disconnecting the battery first before putting my hand anywhere down there....

Check on the relays earlier and swapped G with E. Made no difference unfortunately. The retaining clip for the relay cover snapped off as well when I was taking the cover off. Not sure if that will rattle like a b**ch now.

Be fine mate.

The clip was broken on my 182 the whole time I had it and never rattled or came off.

Relays was worth a try but definitely some sort of heat related issue on yours.

 

[Darren S]

Be fine mate.

The clip was broken on my 182 the whole time I had it and never rattled or came off.

Relays was worth a try but definitely some sort of heat related issue on yours.

Will get the endoscope camera down near the starter at dinner - see if I can see anything obvious.

 

[Darren S]

Didn't get to use the endoscope today as it needed a recharge, so most likely tomorrow.

Having swapped the pink relays over for testing yesterday, I gave them a once over from the little bit of oxidisation that some of them had on their pins. Will get those slotted back in tomorrow too.

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

Didn't get to use the endoscope today as it needed a recharge, so most likely tomorrow.

Having swapped the pink relays over for testing yesterday, I gave them a once over from the little bit of oxidisation that some of them had on their pins. Will get those slotted back in tomorrow too.

View attachment 1735494

A squirt of ACF-50 or XCP Rustblocker will stop them from getting corroded again.

 

[Darren S]

Got the endoscope down there to check on the starter. Surprisingly looked quite tidy and the heatshield is definitely in place.

Given how tricky it was to use an endoscope in the confines of that space, 100% confirmed that I wouldn't attempt to swap the starter out myself. The garage can have that hassle, thankfully!

 

[OliverD]

I’ve had the same issue twice on 182 and both times it ended up being the earth strap that had corroded.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Had an old Escort van at work (ex-British Gas van .. 200 million miles on the clock!) that did this. Turned out it was an earthing connection from the starter to the body that was loose and had rusted.