Starting Problem Please Help

[sunderwood]

Right, I have owned my Ibiza for two weeks and have been driving it for 3 days. I was out last night, dropped some friends off, went to start my car and nothing happened. Turn the key, and absolutely nothing, no noise. Battery seems to be fine, (lights and radio work ok) and i havn't left it sitting using loads of charge.

Does anybody have a clue what may have gone wrong?

any help much appreciated.

Seth.

 

[BEOWULF]

have u checked ya starer motor earth wire **

 

[sunderwood]

i dont know where that is, dont have a manual, in the process of trying to download one. i did find one wire that is loose but nowhere to attach it.

this is a 1998 Ibiza TDi by the way.

 

[Fl@pper]

apart from the obvious starter motor or wiring it's worth checking the switch at the back of the ignition

 

[sunderwood]

i will have a look, but as i said, i have had this car two weeks, and dont have a manual.

i should point out that i can turn the key and the dash lights come on, but when the preheat coil light goes off and i try to start, nothing happens.

 

[Fl@pper]

you can test the signal from the ignition switch at the starter motor and while ya there short it across to see if the starter works

this might help?>

 

[sunderwood]

you can test the signal from the ignition switch at the starter motor and while ya there short it across to see if the starter works

this might help?>

ok, may try that in abit. we found the starter earth cable loose and attached it to the lug that we thought its supposed to attach to with a clothes peg and it set fire to it.

 

[Fl@pper]

probably wasn't the earth but the main power cable

don't rely on the colour - check it

 

[sunderwood]

probably wasn't the earth but the main power cable

don't rely on the colour - check it

could be, either way, said cable was the problem and is fixed now. thansk for everyones help.

 

[Czechboy]

Just to revive this dusty old thread I now have the exact same problem. Basically sometimes I get into my car, turn the key to ignition on position(all lights light up) and then when I turn the key further to start it up absolutely nothing happens, not even a click?? The dash stays lit up and the lights don't even dim down (as the normally would when you go to start a car). Then I turn the ignition off, do it again and car fires up straight away. Sometimes the car starts first time and couple of times I had to already turn the key on and off about 4 times before it started.

Any ideas?? I will check the earth cable on the starter once the weather sorts itself out a little outside.

Many thanks

Mig

 

[Czechboy]

Bumb ba bum bum bump

Thanks

 

[GTV]

I also have the same problem, so going to check the starter tonight

 

[Czechboy]

OK, I've noticed that when it does it there is a little click when I turn the key, but that's it. And like I said, when I go to try it again I need to completely turn the key off and then on again, rather then trying to start it from the "ignition on" position.

Thanks

Mig

 

[Fl@pper]

the switch block at the end of the ignition lock itself is a common fault apart from the usual battery and starter

mines always felt a bit iffy but seems to work ok

got a spare in the door ready though

 

[GTV]

ok found my problem, the earth wire on the starter is broken, but it seems to be riveted into place, any ideas who to change it?
I will be pulling the motor off later so I can see it better.

 

[basskid2k]

hi there, im having the same problems with my beezer.

in reference to the diagram fl@pper supplied, im i reading it right in saying that the earth wire that everyone refers to doesn't actually attach to the starter motor but attatches to the gearbox?

sorry for the silly question but im a mk2 newbie and want to diagnose if its a silly prob before the stealers rob me

 

[GTV]

yes thats right, there are 2 wires going to the start assy, main 12v feed and 12v from the switch

 

[basskid2k]

Thanks GTV. checked the wiring and all seems secure and intact. managed to bump start the car by pushing down a hill and drove no problem. when i switched off and tried again.... nothing.

any ideas?

gonna take the starter off and test it but was thinking of checking the ignition switch too as i've read its a common fault.

all input is really appreciated guys , thanks

 

[GTV]

my problem was the link from the solinode and the starter it self

 

[basskid2k]

checked the feed from the ignition to the starter motor solenoid (spade connector) and it was reading 12v when the key is turned. also checked continuity of the power cable going to the starter solenoid and it seems fine. all the earths seem to be intact as well. cleaned up all the connections.

would i be right in assuming the starter motor is in need of replacing? or is there other things to try first

thanks