Trouble Starting

[sparks03]

 Following hot on the heels of the previous thread on starting problems, my Mk2 16v has refused to fire up this morning. Fuel pump primes, all dash-lights are bright, turn the key and nothing. No turn over! Nadda, nothing. Immobiliser is dis-engaged otherwise the pump wouldn't kick in (i've got twin carbs/ throttle bodies etc)

 I've checked the HTs and dizzy and all seems fine, plugs have only been in a couple of months. Earth/ Ignition lead don't seem to be big enough to carry the charge from the battery however its not been a problem before. I'm a bit stumped if i'm honest 

[The Mighty Elvi]

Could be that the ignition switch in the key barrel has gone.

[sparks03]

Thanks Elvi, going out for a bit of an investigation now....

[tony_ack]

If you can hear the fuel pump when you turn the key, check the signal wire to the starter as it tends to corrode at the starter end.

[rubjonny]

run a wire from battery +ve to the terminal on the starter wqhere the red/black wire is. if starter turns over its fine. next pull plug from ign switch, bridge a bit of wire between the red wire and red/black wire. if starter turns ign switch is at fault. if it doesn't wiring or alarm/immob are the problem

[sparks03]

Definately not the ignition switch, I'm going to plump for starter motor (rocking didn't work but then if its completely fooked I don't suppose it will) though will check signal wire as it seems quite grimy down there

Cheers

[Reasty]

I had this exact problem earlier in the year and it was the starter motor,get a mate and one of you sit in the car with the key turned and then get the other person to hit the starter with a hammer,sounds crazy but it worked on mine when i got stranded,so if this works you will def know its the starter at fault,my advice to you if it is the starter is get a bosch one,they are abit more but you get what you pay for.

[sparks03]

Just been round all of the leads and wires, none obviously corroded. Plenty of muck around but i've had a clean up and popped some WD40 in the wetter places. Still nothing. Will get my mate to give it a whirl with the hammer if he can pop over.

 You know if it had have been the 407 i'd have kicked something off it by now 

[jeremybarker]

Could be a sticking solenoid in the stater motor, hammer trick might work and give you an idea.

[sparks03]

Well I think I've got it down to a battery/ lead fault. Starter motor seems to be in order and no clicking coming from it to indicate anything is stuck. In fact it seems the power isn't getting to the motor at all.

 Will get a volt-meter on it once i've picked the kids up...