V6 still won't start

ElaineH · 4th December 2016, 10:30

Had problems recently with wet electrics which have now dried out and all wipers, etc work okay. Coinciding with this the engine would not turn over but after several attempts would and continue to start until cold again. Have checked starter on bench and replaced contacts, all fine, power is getting to the ignition to starter ( thin wire) when ignition turned but when starter back in engine the car won't fire up. Have checked fuses, swapped matching relays but nothing!
I would assume that if it is a dodgy inhibitor why do I get power to the starter?
Will need to get a diagnostics done, ideally at home, anyone in Kent Medway area? Thanks for any help,

SD1too · 4th December 2016, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElaineH

.. ... when starter back in engine the car won't fire up.

You say that the engine won't "fire". Originally it wouldn't turn over so you have succeeded in getting the starter motor to work, yes?

Unless you've been on some long journeys recently I would begin by charging your battery overnight then try again. If the engine still doesn't fire, it could be that your fuel filter casing needs tightening up (a common inconvenience which reduces fuel pressure).

Simon

ElaineH · 4th December 2016, 12:29

Thanks Simon, but no the starter won't turn in situ but is okay on the bench and I have power to the other ignition side of the starter so wiring etc seems okay. This is why I am now thinking inhibitor switch. Calling AA to see if they can help, thanks, Elaine

Dallas · 4th December 2016, 13:42

When you say you had a water leak, what was leaking?

Do you have a sunroof, was the water ingress from the sunroof drains. Have you checked the EWS unit that sits on driverside under the drain tube. Water poors in and soaks the EWS unit, the contacts corrode and cause all sorts of electrical problems such as windows, doors, boot and non starting issues.

Its a small white/cream box, has a silver metal casing with two security screws. Easy enough to see, just pop it out and check the wire loom plug and inside circuit board (the unit unclips to open). I had similar problem where door locks would not operated, then car failed to start, turned out to be corroded and broken pins.

I see yours is also an auto, have you checked the sensor on the gearbox?

BRI · 4th December 2016, 15:06

Might be a daft suggestion but how about earth between engine and body

ElaineH · 4th December 2016, 16:11

Have not checked the Ews as drivers side was not apparently wet. AA hot wired from starter to battery and it fires up. If you push the black spade back on solenoid terminal it won't start even though it it picking up 12v when left off and the ignition turned. Seems like a short somewhere. Will start it by hot wiring and taking for diagnostics. Many thanks, Elaine

SD1too · 4th December 2016, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElaineH

.. AA hot wired from starter to battery and it fires up. If you push the black spade back on solenoid terminal it won't start even though it it picking up 12v when left off and the ignition turned.

Just to be clear Elaine, did the AA connect the positive battery terminal to the heavy current terminal on the starter motor? Then you turned the ignition key normally?

Can you hear the solenoid clicking when the black spade terminal is connected and the ignition key turned to 'start'?

We should be able to diagnose this one here Elaine, with a bit of luck.

Simon

ElaineH · 4th December 2016, 17:40

The starter works fine on the bench and power reaches the small black wire / terminal when the key is turned but when the spade is connected back to the solenoid it won't start. No obvious clicking Either. The AA wired from the light side direct to the battery and it starts but not via the key. They have left the black spade off the solenoid and to start to get to a garage I will touch the wire onto battery thus bypassing the ignition switch. The Ews unit has not been checked but the drivers side never got wet from what I can see. AA suspect something is shorting out hence why it won't start on the key. Baffling but hopefully diagnostics will identify the problem. Beyond the cost of diagnostics it's not worth spending hundreds on even though the car only has 31.5 k miles from new. It is a 2.5 v6 auto conn se, I love the car but it's a case of cost vs value.

SD1too · 4th December 2016, 18:01

OK, thanks for the explanation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElaineH

... power reaches the small black wire / terminal when the key is turned ..

Are you measuring this with a multimeter?

Simon

COLVERT · 4th December 2016, 21:13

Works with jump leads direct to the starter ????

As posted previously earlier on, EARTH STRAP to the engine from the body of the car. Is that OK ??

4th December 2016, 10:30	#1
ElaineH Newbie 75 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rochester Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	V6 still won't start Had problems recently with wet electrics which have now dried out and all wipers, etc work okay. Coinciding with this the engine would not turn over but after several attempts would and continue to start until cold again. Have checked starter on bench and replaced contacts, all fine, power is getting to the ignition to starter ( thin wire) when ignition turned but when starter back in engine the car won't fire up. Have checked fuses, swapped matching relays but nothing! I would assume that if it is a dodgy inhibitor why do I get power to the starter? Will need to get a diagnostics done, ideally at home, anyone in Kent Medway area? Thanks for any help,

4th December 2016, 12:29	#3
ElaineH Newbie 75 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rochester Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Simon, but no the starter won't turn in situ but is okay on the bench and I have power to the other ignition side of the starter so wiring etc seems okay. This is why I am now thinking inhibitor switch. Calling AA to see if they can help, thanks, Elaine

4th December 2016, 13:42	#4
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	When you say you had a water leak, what was leaking? Do you have a sunroof, was the water ingress from the sunroof drains. Have you checked the EWS unit that sits on driverside under the drain tube. Water poors in and soaks the EWS unit, the contacts corrode and cause all sorts of electrical problems such as windows, doors, boot and non starting issues. Its a small white/cream box, has a silver metal casing with two security screws. Easy enough to see, just pop it out and check the wire loom plug and inside circuit board (the unit unclips to open). I had similar problem where door locks would not operated, then car failed to start, turned out to be corroded and broken pins. I see yours is also an auto, have you checked the sensor on the gearbox?

4th December 2016, 15:06	#5
BRI Avid contributor 75 saloon Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 224 Thanks: 96 Thanked 63 Times in 51 Posts	Might be a daft suggestion but how about earth between engine and body

4th December 2016, 16:11	#6
ElaineH Newbie 75 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rochester Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Have not checked the Ews as drivers side was not apparently wet. AA hot wired from starter to battery and it fires up. If you push the black spade back on solenoid terminal it won't start even though it it picking up 12v when left off and the ignition turned. Seems like a short somewhere. Will start it by hot wiring and taking for diagnostics. Many thanks, Elaine

4th December 2016, 17:40	#8
ElaineH Newbie 75 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rochester Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The starter works fine on the bench and power reaches the small black wire / terminal when the key is turned but when the spade is connected back to the solenoid it won't start. No obvious clicking Either. The AA wired from the light side direct to the battery and it starts but not via the key. They have left the black spade off the solenoid and to start to get to a garage I will touch the wire onto battery thus bypassing the ignition switch. The Ews unit has not been checked but the drivers side never got wet from what I can see. AA suspect something is shorting out hence why it won't start on the key. Baffling but hopefully diagnostics will identify the problem. Beyond the cost of diagnostics it's not worth spending hundreds on even though the car only has 31.5 k miles from new. It is a 2.5 v6 auto conn se, I love the car but it's a case of cost vs value.

4th December 2016, 21:13	#10
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Works with jump leads direct to the starter ???? As posted previously earlier on, EARTH STRAP to the engine from the body of the car. Is that OK ??