Drove my car down the road this morning and everything was fine. Came out to start it five minutes later and the car is dead. There is plenty of power in the battery, lights work, electric windows etc. I have checked the immobiliser light which comes on then goes out, no flashing. Turn the key and nothing, no click from solenoid etc, cables appear fine, I earthed block to negative on battery and turned the key still nothing. Have tried rocking the car in second gear to shift flywheel (I know desperate isn't it) and whacked the starter with a bit of wood. No joy. I can only think the solenoid has gone - anyone have nay other ideas? Can you buy the solenoid seperately or do I need to buy a starter motor? Any help would be appreciated.

You sure it not the battery? You sound like you know what you are doing but Mine did the same, lights stereo everything fine but just wouldn't even attempt to turn over. Jump start then new battery job done.

What voltage is across the battery? I've had occasions where the battery has been too flat to attempt to start, but it's been able to power the lights, etc.

Rob.

Yeah on my last 3 cars, batteries dying all had similar effects and everything worked except the starter. As Rob mentions, worth checking the voltage across it just to rule out the obvious before starting to take the car apart

Chris

You sure it not the battery? You sound like you know what you are doing but Mine did the same, lights stereo everything fine but just wouldn't even attempt to turn over. Jump start then new battery job done.

Would agree happened to me last August on the bank holiday it was fine one day then the next nothing yet all dash lights, interior lights radio ect all worked, called out breakdown chap jump start got me running, stuck battery on charge over night next morning charger still showed there was nothing in the battery tried to start again nothing. New battery cured problem.

And more recently my starter failed also but with that I was getting a good click from the solenoid end result there was new starter, I was told by dealer that you can't change the solenoid on them, how true that is I don't know.

I think your problem is a dead battery though.

Exactly the same happened with one of our farm loader.Finished with machine, 5 mins later tried to start -nothing.We thought the starter had knackered the battery even read 12.6 volts.New battery cured the problem.

Very strange as the battery still gave a good voltage.

Have you checked the big fuses in the box that sits on top of the battery?

its about the time of year for the battery. Cold weather really takes its toll, and weak batteries just give up the ghost. I had the same problem on my mondeo, everything worked but the car wouldnt turn over. New battery and all was fine again.

Exactly the same happened with one of our farm loader.Finished with machine, 5 mins later tried to start -nothing.We thought the starter had knackered the battery even read 12.6 volts.New battery cured the problem.

Very strange as the battery still gave a good voltage.

Just because you have voltage doesnt mean you have current. If the battery wont put out the current required for the starter (about 40amps at a guess) then it wont start.

In fact, if the voltage doesn't drop significantly (perhaps a volt or so) when you try to start, it suggests that the starter / solenoid is not drawing any current and there's a fault. If the voltage does drop (cabin lights dim, for example), it's the battery.

Just because you have voltage doesnt mean you have current. If the battery wont put out the current required for the starter (about 40amps at a guess) then it wont start.

Ah! Hence why the call it 'crankamps'

Twas the starter. I should have mentioned new heavy duty battery bought in summer. Had the Starter and solenoid rebuilt locally and the car is fine.