Won't Start

[RodW]

Car is 2001, 1.8 K De Dion. Tried to start it this morning; ignition light came on, usual short buzz/whirring noise as fuel pump primes, but then on further turn of ignition key only a small click - starter not turning at all. On subsequent attempts no buzzing/whirring, just small click and nothing from starter.

Car has not been run for a couple of weeks, but there is life in battery (headlamps light and battery charger only showing 2 amp charge rate when connected). Inertia cutout switch is in correct position.

Any advice on likely cause or where/how to begin looking much appreciated - sun is shining at the moment! ☹️

 

RGW

[murph7355]

If you do a search on the site you'll find this is common on Ks.

 

First up get the battery on charge just in case.

 

Then you'll need to give all electrical connections on the starter a damn good clean and refit.

 

Have a search on the site though as there's plenty more info than that (something to do with the solenoid).

 

 

[Fred]

check the fuse first i think it is the third from bottom if it has blown change to a 30 amp not a 20

hope this helped

 

fred

[F355GTS]

Think Fred's right, sounds like the ECU fuse has blown and needs to be uprated to a 30amp

 

Mark

[ewenm]

This happened to me too. The battery seemed fine for everything except starting - a new battery was the solution in the end. Since then no more problems

 

Ewen Malloch

P979TMV - Yellow 1.6 K Series

[RodW]

Thanks to all so far.

ECU fuse was blown and have replaced it with a 25 amp (why if 20 is too low do Caterham fit it? Do Ineed to look for the cause of the fuse blowing in the first place?)

Unfortunately, car still does not start - fuel pump starts up but starter does nothing - on turning the key all I get is a click.

 

RGW

[Fred]

the battery sounds to low to operate the starter try a jump start with leads.and get your self a battery conditioner from santa good luck

 

fred

[Allen Payne]

The ECU fuse will blow if you repeatedly try and start the car when the starter is not working.

 

Check the wiring on the starter motor, especially the smaller of the two wires.

 

Regards

Allen

[scooby dooby doo]

I think they've now changed and a 30A fuse is now standard.

 

HOOPY Today I shall be mostly wanting to go for a blat R706KGU

[Paul Richards.]

There are lots of threads on starter problems. Suggest you try a search. Most however seem to be when car is hot.

30 amp fuse is now a caterham recommended upgrade, so suggest this is a must.

As a start, why not connect the solenoid to a length of wire and touch this to the positive battery terminal. This will tell you whether starter is at fault or not.

Make sure ignition on and in neutral.

If starter works, start looking at connections in wiring. If starter doesn't work, start looking for new starter or repair.

 

Paul R.

C7PPR

K series that starts when hot!!

[Peter Carmichael]

get a helper to wiggle the terminal on the starter while you turn the key. If this works then your starter solenoid needs a refit.

[warrent]

As just about everyone has said, waggle the wires on the solenoid. This has happened on both the k-series cars I've had, and It's doing it on my superlight now (and my LR Discovery where the starter is a nightmare to get out!!!) A right pain in the a*se!!!

 

Once you know what to waggle, it's not so much a problem.

[Mike Bey]

RodW

Same thing happened to me last week - on an XE, not a K-series - BUT - I cleaned up the +ve battery terminal with a wire brush (although it looked OK) & HEY PRESTO.

 

Mike