Hi I'm a complete novice when it comes to cars basically my 1.9tdi mk2 Octavia decided yesterday that it wasn't going to start, have had 5 years of trouble free motoring from it.

My initial thought was the battery so tried to jump start the car however this did not work so I'm now thinking the problem lies with the starter motor I'm just wondering how easy it is to diagnose the problem and if it easy enough for a novice to fix?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

I've seen the small wire to the solenoid break off, if it does then it won't crank.  Also the braided cable between the solenoid and motor can corrode and fall to bits, if it does it won't crank.

You could use one of your jump leads and attach it between battery NEG and engine, this will bypass engine earth strap.....if it cranks then you have an earthing problem.

If small wire to solenoid is good you need to check if you're getting voltage here when ign switch is in crank position.......if yes, suspect starter.

If you're totally stuck there's a VAG specialist in Dumbarton.

Thanks for the replies

John when I say a novice I mean a novice I'm not sure what you mean with all that where is the solenoid so I can check the cable etc...?

Ken I'm hoping to spend as little as possible it's mid month so hoping to avoid labour charges

When you say not starting can you be more specific? Are you getting any noises when turning the key? Putting the car in gear and turning the key will let you know if the starter motor is working as the car will lurch forward (obviously make sure there is nothing in front of you). 

Starter motors don't just die they usually get weaker until they fail. If you're not getting anything to the starter motor then check your fuses.

I'd offer to come and have a look myself if I was at my Mum's place, but 12 hours on a ferry, 3 meals and 200 miles makes an hour's garage labour look well cheap!

 

It's clean and not installed (usually back side of engine at the bottom, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starter_(engine) .

When you say not starting can you be more specific? Are you getting any noises when turning the key? Putting the car in gear and turning the key will let you know if the starter motor is working as the car will lurch forward (obviously make sure there is nothing in front of you). 

Starter motors don't just die they usually get weaker until they fail. If you're not getting anything to the starter motor then check your fuses.

Not necessarily; a dead battery can lead to a "click" noise and no starter running. I have had this happen and know what I am talking about!

CWARD when I turn the key it makes the initial noises as though it's about to start all dash lights come on as usual then after it fails to turn over it sounds as though it's losing power and then starts clicking. I'll try and start it in gear see what happens then check my fuses.

Haha Ken thanks but I wouldn't expect you to make a 200 mile trip 100 maybe ????

It sounds like a flat battery is part of the problem alright. If you have or can borrow a multimeter I'm expecting under 12v across terminals.

 

Also, a VAG diesel has to make a minimum cranking speed before it will inject fuel, so a weak starter motor can suddenly die just because it can't spin the engine fast enough any more.

Just change (or borrow one) the battery first before trying anything more complicated than that. If you have had a cold snap of weather then that will kill off a weak/old battery totally and there will be several threads on here over the next few weeks saying exactly that.

Diesel VAG motors usually need a good bit of juice to get them going.

CWARD when I turn the key it makes the initial noises as though it's about to start all dash lights come on as usual then after it fails to turn over it sounds as though it's losing power and then starts clicking. I'll try and start it in gear see what happens then check my fuses.

Haha Ken thanks but I wouldn't expect you to make a 200 mile trip 100 maybe ????

It does sound like a flat battery.......even although I can't hear it !

Being a novice, perhaps an AA card in your wallet would be money well spent?!

Thanks guys I'll try the battery first and look at the fuses will post back results

I wouldn't bother with the fuses if your getting a clicking as the circuit is complete. You can try jump starting it again but leave the cables attached with the other car running for a while before trying to start yours. The other car will need to have a large enough battery to crank your car so a 1 litre petrol car won't do you will need a large diesel engine car.