Valver wont start

[dyp]

i am regretting getting this car she wont start now, measured the voltage and thats 12.3 volts but when i turn the key she drops down to 8.5 volts and wont turn over, anyone got any ideas????

 

[Clio 1.216v Dynamique]

Yes call the AA or RAC or whoever your with,

 

[Paddy_g46]

^^^^ haha! get a new car!

 

[Daz]

Voltage will drop..

Sounds to me either the battery has had it or the starter is jammed.
As the voltage is dropping, something is happening.. so it rules out some things anyway.

 

[Sami]

Starter motor solenoid could be sticking? common problem i think tbh is it clicking when your turning the ignition to try and start it?

 

[Daz]

I've seen many a starter motor take a whack, by a mad Clio owner with a spanner

 

[Dan@SJM]

aye give the thing a whack!

 

[dyp]

the drop in voltage was noticed when i only turn the key one click, i can hear the fuel pump prime but i lose voltage somewhere

 

[Dan@SJM]

well if the fuel pumps running, you will loose voltage!

 

[dyp]

no i understand that but surely it wouldnt drop down to 8.5v and sit there as the fuel pump just primes it self for the car to start or am i wrong?

 

[Dan@SJM]

the pump does take a fair bit of voltage.
but also the ignition coil etc are then live.

 

[Sami]

Whack the starter with a hammer! or flick the ignition between 2 and 3 turns in a way that it flicks the starter motor on/off you can unstick it that way can be a bit jammy to do though...

 

[dyp]

sounds like i will be busy after work tonight

 

[davidmudley]

I am also a victim of the whacking the starter motor brigade. I am trying to change it though and have seem in the Haynes manual that you have to undo the exhaust manifold, how the hell do you get the bolts off, they're so difficult to get to!

Has anyone changed a starter motor on a valver? If so could you give me some words of wisdom please.

Cheers.

 

[Dan@SJM]

Dont take the manifold off, take the starter heatshield off, 3 13mm bolts. then its 3 17mm bolts to get the starter off.

 

[Mike@Rentech]

I take the driveshaft out makes it nice and easy to do.

 

[Dan@SJM]

why!? you can get it out from above!

 

[davidmudley]

Cheers guys, will have to get my hands dirty today and give it a go.

 

[davidmudley]

How do you get the starter motor heat shield off? I've been giving it a go but can only get one of the bolts off, the other one i can get my fingers to but it won't budge.

Any suggestions?

 

[Dan@SJM]

you taking the brakets off too?

theres a bolt on the starter, and its also attached to the heatshield for the oil pressure sensor.