Went to start the car today and it wouldn't start.

Ignition is fine but when I go to crank car all I hear is a click noise from the starter motor and odometer and clock go off. Switch ignition back on everything seems fine and working till I go to crank car.

My initial thought was a flat battery so I got the starter power pack out but it still wouldn't start.

Only fault code in car is a 17978 - engine start blocked by immobiliser intermittent.

I'm thinking the starter motor solenoid is faulty.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

I agree, the starter motor sounds dodgy.

I think I will remove battery and box and have a closer look at starter tomorrow.

I have read on this forum that its possible to get a broken wire on the solenoid circuit.

Would you still get the clicking noise if there was a broken wire?

Usually deathly silence in that case.

Thanks for the info.

Does anybody know of any checks I can make to narrow down the fault.

Google "diagrama flux curent" (exactly that spelling), download it from somewhere, go to page 591, 592.

If you can't be bothered with that, it basically says "measure whether 12V is getting to the solenoid trigger 'terminal 50' connection, if it isn't, fix that. If it is, check for 12V at the main terminal 30 battery feed to the starter solenoid. If that's not there, fix the wiring, if it is there, the starter/solenoid is at fault.

 

Only other thing I would suggest is to also check the earth connection that goes to the top starter mounting. Poor connection there (or any of the others on the way to battery negative) and you'll struggle to get enough current through the starter no matter how good the battery or external power source is.

Thanks for the info. Got some things to check in the morning.

I'll report back if I sort it.

I'd start with the basics. Check the battery terminals to be clean, nice and tight.

Edited 10 January, 201610 yr by Alexandru

Bump start it?

The fact the odo and clock go off suggests the battery is dead tbh.

I would try it with some decent jump leads first before condemning anything else.

The fact the odo and clock go off suggests the battery is dead tbh.

I would try it with some decent jump leads first before condemning anything else.

 

He tried jumping it which is why we've suggested the starter motor is faulty.

Car ok now. Battery was goosed.

Mate lent me a old battery charged it up overnight, fitted this morning and car started first time.

Off to buy a new battery.

Thanks for all the info.

He tried jumping it which is why we've suggested the starter motor is faulty.

Not he tried to use a jump pack.big difference if it was a cheapo jump pack with a 10ah battery in it.

^ Good spot.