Help I can't start!
 

My 2.5V6 auto broke down at the weekend. Had been running fine, stopped to pick something up and when we tried to restart, nothing happened. Well, the dash lights cam on and key turned but starter wouldn't engage. No flickering as you would see with a dud battery, and the battery is quite new 1 or 2 years old and high quality). Coolant not overheating and good water and oil levels.



Called the AA who couldn't start the car and had to be towed to a nearby garage a way away from where we live. Trying to get the keys sent over to them today. Any suggestions for where to look?


AA said maybe the engine seized or the starter had died. I did have a problem a few years ago for a short while with the engine not starting from in use, which was due to a cam sensor and everything has been fine since then. But no idea where to start on this if the garage is unsure how to diagnose a Rover 75...

Always worth a look at the electrical connections on the starter. Good luck.

Not sure on the V6 but on the 1.8 a common non start is a dirty/corroded spade connector to the starter motor from the battery. If it is the same set up a clean usually does the trick.

When she turns over does the rev counter flicker - if not that points to a goosed crank sensor .

Also would consider the cam sensor as well as that if goosed will cause non starts. Saying that i would have thought the AA man would have considered this :shrug:

Hi David.
As above get them to double check the spade connector on the starter motor, it may also need the contacts replacing, which is not an hard job, once the starter is off the car.

If the garage can not work out what is going on i would get it back home and go from there, if it needs lifting home contact Victor on here as he moves and transports cars.

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=newpm&u=26593

Then get Jamie to put it on the T4 both are not far from you in Brum.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=newpm&u=31100

Many thanks I'll mention the spade connector and the other connectors - not cranking at all. Good to know things are easily available on Ebay, the garage are very good (from previous experience, though not with my Rover) but they will appreciate any heads ups.

There is also the chance that it is an immobiliser problem due to it disabling the starter motor.

I've had this before on a V6 . I pulled out the air filter box to get to the starter then removed and refitted the spade connector and she started . More fiddley to get the box back in ! :p:

Bad news. The engine won't turn and the mechanic thinks it must therefore have seized. The garage where I left it is not a Rover specialist, but are a really good garage who will bend over to help with anything, so if they think it's seized I guess my only option is a new engine. Or is there anything else I could suggest to them?


As for new engines, the car has done 100,000 miles, has had a slight head gasket leak for some years requiring coolant monitoring and regular topups and is due a new cambelt next year. So I was already wondering whether to bite the bullet and replace the engine or at least do a rebuild. Events may have brought that decision forward somewhat. Can anyone suggest a source of 2.5 V6 auto engines likely to be in good nick, and the question the garage asked me was did I know what ancillaries it would come with or whether they would have to swap a load of stuff over from the existing engine.

Wow!! have they eliminated the starter solenoid as a possible culprit?

Hi David.
Are they saying the engine will not turn over by hand at all? or its not turning over from the key.

If engine is required maybe drop mickyboy a PM see what he as about.

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=newpm&u=26070