Reluctant to start?

stevestrat · 8th February 2014, 08:45

Car (1.8T ZT) has always started first time but had problems this morning. Key to position 2, everything fine, turned it to start, nothing, not even a click? Battery is fine, to make sure I stuck the booster pack on it, made no difference, nothing happened when the key was turned to the start position. Tried several times and it eventually sprung into life and started after holding the key in the start position much longer than usual. Tried it a few times after getting home and it's behaving itself impeccably again?

Any suggestions?

SD1too · 8th February 2014, 09:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

... turned it to start, nothing, not even a click?
Any suggestions?

The starter solenoid isn't operating. Clean the electrical connection. If the problem persists, check that +12v is reaching this terminal. If it is, consider buying the repair kit for the solenoid switch contacts. If you search, there are some good photographs of this because it's a fairly common problem.

Simon

stevestrat · 8th February 2014, 10:05

Thanks Simon, that's rather what I suspected. Haynes says to go at the starter from below but I don't have any means of getting the front end up in the air, can I do anything from above?

I looked at solenoid refurb kits . . . . can't find one for the 1.8?

rich17865 · 8th February 2014, 10:09

I suspect you would need to be friends with Mr Tickle to do it from above

That's how I felt doing the thermostat at the back from above anyway.

SD1too · 8th February 2014, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

... I don't have any means of getting the front end up in the air ..

Time to invest in a jack and some axle stands then!

You'll recoup the cost very quickly.

Simon

stevestrat · 8th February 2014, 12:03

Been thinking about them for a while, should have brought that set (jack, stands & creeper, chocks etc) Halfords had on sale for under £50 a while ago, back up to £75 now!

8th February 2014, 08:45	#1
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,615 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Reluctant to start? Car (1.8T ZT) has always started first time but had problems this morning. Key to position 2, everything fine, turned it to start, nothing, not even a click? Battery is fine, to make sure I stuck the booster pack on it, made no difference, nothing happened when the key was turned to the start position. Tried several times and it eventually sprung into life and started after holding the key in the start position much longer than usual. Tried it a few times after getting home and it's behaving itself impeccably again? Any suggestions? __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

8th February 2014, 10:05	#3
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,615 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Thanks Simon, that's rather what I suspected. Haynes says to go at the starter from below but I don't have any means of getting the front end up in the air, can I do anything from above? I looked at solenoid refurb kits . . . . can't find one for the 1.8? __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

8th February 2014, 12:03	#6
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,615 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Been thinking about them for a while, should have brought that set (jack, stands & creeper, chocks etc) Halfords had on sale for under £50 a while ago, back up to £75 now! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

8th February 2014, 10:09	#4
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	I suspect you would need to be friends with Mr Tickle to do it from above That's how I felt doing the thermostat at the back from above anyway.