cj247 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Since I last washed the car 6 weeks ago & put it away in the garage I've not been able to get the engine to turn over let alone start.As I'd left it a couple of weeks I thought the battery was flat so charged it up but still nothing more than a click from the solenoid. Given the battery is about 3 years old I though it had probably come to the end of it's life so replaced it but still nothing. Headlights are bright so clearly not a battery issue.Tried bypassing the inertia switch but to no avail. Also replaced battery in immobiliser key fob in case that was the issue.I then set about checking the wiring & earth but nothing obviously wrong. I then read up on the dreaded Caterham Click fearing this might have struck. Disconnected both large & small connectors to the MFRU but all connections look good but have replaced the relay with an external one nonetheless. Still won't turn over.I'm beginning to get very frustrated & running out of ideas so would welcome any suggestions!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted December 5, 2017 Member Share Posted December 5, 2017 Headlights are bright so clearly not a battery issue.I wouldn't rely on that as a test.What's the battery voltage at rest and as you try to crank?I then set about checking the wiring & earth but nothing obviously wrong.Did that involve disconnecting and cleaning the contacts?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted December 5, 2017 Member Share Posted December 5, 2017 Can you get another battery, preferably in a vehicle, within jump lead distance?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Have you checked fuses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj247 Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 Yes, I've had all the fuses out & they are OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stridey Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Have you tried checkec wires at alternator and starter motor, It's very exposed down there, to water, I bought a proper plug to protect the wires (on my alternator there was a clip to hold the plug in place, but car came with no plug.)its perhaps worth a check, only because you mentioned washing the car before tucking away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted December 5, 2017 Member Share Posted December 5, 2017 After doing those voltage checks with and without the other battery, and depending on the results, the next thing I'd look at is the voltage into the solenoid when the key is turned/ button is pressed.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosshogg Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I would test the voltage to the starter. Next step remove starter and bench test with some jump leads and your new battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Could this be the dreaded starter click fault? Lots in the archives about relay failure in the MFRU and wiring an external relay.Also starters can cook - again lots in the archives. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted December 6, 2017 Member Share Posted December 6, 2017 "Our chief weapon is a multimeter... a multimeter and some croc clips.. some croc clips and a multimeter.... Our two weapons are a multimeter and some croc clips...and a wiring diagram.... Our *three* weapons are a multimeter, some croc clips, a wiring diagram...and an almost fanatical devotion to BlatChat.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as a multimeter and some croc clips.... I'll come in again."Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 "I didn't expect that kind of k-Click inquisition". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussex Mid AR Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Have you tried giving the starter a "tap" with something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 As a long shot, select top gear and rock the car back and forwards. It could be that the starter pinion is jammed. But I have to say it looks more of an electrical problem, as discussed above.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj247 Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 That would make sense if the battery wasn't charging but I don't think it would affect starting. I've fitted a new battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Check the quality of the feed to the starter. We need to know the voltage at rest and when the starter is engaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domus Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 No one expects................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj247 Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 Finally solved the problem Thanks for all the advice. After bump starting the car it started fine but wouldn't turn over on the starter so I stripped down the MFU & all the relay contacts were pristine so deduced it had to be a doggy starter. Replaced with a new Brise one which is adjustable so you can position the solenoid well away from the exhaust primaries & it started first time!When I tested the old starter off the car the solenoid did not reliably fire the pinion forward & the starter motor would not spin so I suspect it's succumbed to water ingress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 7, 2018 Member Share Posted January 7, 2018 Well done, and thanks for the update.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 That's the problem with those doggy starters. Woof ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueAndWhiteClassic Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Mine too.... thought a quick run would do me good as sunny although cold. Have pushed it back in the garage and plugged the trickle charger back on to try again later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 14, 2018 Member Share Posted January 14, 2018 Have you got a multimeter... or another car or good battery to jump?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueAndWhiteClassic Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Having set the CTEK trickle charger to the winter setting and left it for two weeks my car started first time this afternoon. Now keeping an eye on the charger as I suspect it may not be reliable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 28, 2018 Member Share Posted January 28, 2018 Now keeping an eye on the charger as I suspect it may not be reliable!My saga will be published RSN...Which model of CTEK charger and which battery do you have?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ult-jim7 Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Put an electric fan heater under the car, its probably the dampness, considering you state that you washed the car before storing in the garage. I have a K-Series, went to start it the other day and nothing! Fan heater for 2 hours under the cover, made it all toasty snug and warm and it started on the button first go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 31, 2018 Leadership Team Share Posted January 31, 2018 "Put an electric fan heater under the car, its probably the dampness, considering you state that you washed the car before storing in the garage. I have a K-Series, went to start it the other day and nothing! Fan heater for 2 hours under the cover, made it all toasty snug and warm and it started on the button first go!"Seriously? If my car was that unreliable I'd either fix it or swap it!Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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