Hi all...my daughters 2004 1.3 Ka with the duratec engine would not start for her tonight...I had a look battery is fully charged even put the jump leads on to make sure...nothing...not even a click,

She has never had any probs with it in the past...any ideas guys,

Just one more thing...I had to bump start it to get it home from the shops where she was...since read that they should not be bump started due poss damage to the cat....could I have damaged this,

Unfortunately I am old school with cars...I run a very old and basic Landrover and can do anything on it...I try and steer clear of modern cars with all there electronics.

Nick.

 

Hi Nick,

Sorry to hear about the problems you're having! I'm a sparky by trade, so hopefully i'll be able to point you in the right direction, that is providing you haven't already sorted it!
You say your battery was fully charged, and there was no click on turning the key? This suggests the solenoid has gone. Although it could well be the ignition switch. An easy way to test this would be to get a test light, of some sort, obviously 12v.

Check for a permanent live feed on your solenoid input. If this is present, you know there's nothing wrong with the wiring!
Once you've checked this, do the same with your output terminal on the solenoid. Get someone to turn the key. This should light up once the key is turned. If not, you've got a blinked solenoid. If it does, but the starter doesn't turn, it's the starter motor.

Either way, it's just as cheap these days to have the starter and solenoid replaced as a full unit. Especially on a 10 year old motor.

- Hope this helps. Feel free to get back to me should you need further guidance!

 

Hi Haddrs and thanks for your help,

I have found the prob...the braided link wire from the solenoid that goes into the main body of the motor was fused in two...looked corroded,

Its the original Bosh motor...I have seen some pattern motors on ebay for less than £65 and a bosh for £175...so it makes me wonder about the quality of these pattern starter...are they worth buying,

I wonder if I take the motor to my local auto spark I have one nearby...could he fit a new wire...it goes to the brushes as I'm sure you know...are they replaceable,

Would you bother getting this old unit reconed or buy a new one even the cheap pattern version.

Nick.

 

I had this same thing happen on my old mk5 xr3i, I fixed it with a big crimp connector.

 

Hi Nick!

Glad you found the source of the problem! If it is a BOSCH starter, you could source the replacement parts to effectively recon the motor.

Personally I never bother, not on customers. It can fix one problem, but offers no guarantee that the rest of the components won't fail at some point. Any local automotive factor store will be able to locate these. If you're going to get it repaired, I'd get the brushes, 'dog gear' and source a replacement length for the corroded wire and connector in question. This could be done quite easily.

However from a personal view I'd source an alternate starter. As mentioned. Any local automotive factor will source an after market one for you. In all truthfulness it should last the vehicle for the rest of it's life. There's not a lot in them.

The final decision comes down to you. Just depends how much time you want to spend on it.

Get back to me if you need any more help.

Jack.