hi i have a mondeo 99 v reg zetec. i have replaced the starter motor the whole dashboard lights up but the nothing. i can hear the solenoid plunger click but then no action from the starter motor. car has not run now for three weeks could it be an engine seize.

 

check you have not left the large earth lead off as sometimes these bolt to one of the starter motor bolts

 

yeah all leads are present and correct i am completely baffled. turn the key and there is a noise but still no starter turning

 

Get the car on ramps make sure it is in neutral, and then bridge the solenoid terminals, the 2 13mm nuts, one comes from the battery for the main supply cable and the other has a short tiny bit of wire or braid going into the starter main body, the solenoid may not be travelling fully, if so it may not be bridging the contacts inside the solly housing, the clunk you can hear is the ring gear engaging first, then further movement/travel of the piston inside the solenoid bridges the contacts underside and allows current flow into the starter main motor.
tabetha

 

brilliant but i have had the whole thing replaced with the starter motor. however i had a garage mate look at it and he thinks its the key as the injectors are not opening however its going in tomorrow for an inspection further with different equipment

 

If it is immobiliser related then the starter wont even click. To make sure it's working properly turn the ignition on, the red light by the clock should come on for a few seconds then go out. If it flashes quickly with ignition on then you have an immobiliser issue.

To check for siezed engine, see if you can turn the crank pulley with a socket and bar. Or, stick it in 5th gear and see if the car will push. If it rolls then you don't have a seized engine.

I have seen before an alternator seize, this caused the whole engine to lock up so you could try removing the auxiliary belt and spin all pulleys by hand to make sure they rotate freely.

I'm presuming you have done the basic check of making sure the battery isn't flat?

 

yeah batt not flat i must admit the red light faded out some months ago thinking about it the only one i have is the standard 6000cd radio when i remove the plate

 

Not too sure what you mean?

 

red light by the clock faded out completely a few months ago so i dont know wether this has anything to do with the problem

 

does the starter just make a ticking noise??? if so ya battery is dead, well dead enough to not throw the solenoid over, takes quite a lot out of a battery to start a car... hence why they have large cables to take the amps

 

no starter does nowt can just hear a click in passenger footwell does the immobiliser have a battery that could be dead. jumper cable from batt to starter works but key doesnt.

 

You say jumper from battery to starter motor works, I am assuming you mean positive to the main nut on the starter, not much room to put a jumper on there., Or do you mean negative to the engine,

Mike