On starting - only starter motor click - nothing else

LeonCupraRevo

Leon Cupra Revo 1
Feb 14, 2008
22
0
SOUTH wales
i am in need of some help as my leon cupra just decided to stop working

heres how it happened......

i had been driving it from 9.00am till 9.30 am and then i got back in at 12.30pm and pulled on my driveway to get something from my house, turned the ignition off and took key to open house door.

i came back to the car after being inside for no more than a few minutes, turned the ignition key, all lights lit up as normal, waited for them to go out before turning key, foot on the clutch, turned the key and it just clicked and nothing.

checked all the fuses to see if it was something simple, everyone is fine!!

tried it a few times to see if it was me, but all you can hear is the starter motor just click once before it does nothing else.!!!!

Any ideas??? i'm thinking it could be immobiliser not deactivating or something
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Muttley

Catch that diesel!
Mar 17, 2006
4,987
31
North Kent
Don't know the details of how your car looks under the bonnet, so I'm describing things generally here :)

The symptom indicates that the starter motor isn't getting starting current: the click could be the solenoid throwing the starter gear into engagement on the flywheel (listen in the engine compartment while someone else turns the key - there should be a small thump from the starter location - make sure the car is not in gear first !!! ). If the solenoid is only clicking but not throwing the gear into the flywheel then you have a stuck solenoid. Try hitting it with something - seriously!

Starting current is carried to the starter by a big fat wire. Check both ends of that wire, and check it for continuity.

Check the contacter on the starter: once the gear is in engagement, a set of heavy-duty contacts is made at the starter itself to pass starting current to the motor. Should look like a big solid switch, and should be what the big wire is attached to at the starter. If the solenoid is stuck or not engaging fully then these contacts will not be made and the starter will not turn.

Next try the earth strap - goes between engine and body at the gearbox end I think :confused: This too should be a big fat wire or may be a woven metal strap. This provides the return path for all the engine electrics, but the starter is the biggest demand so it may be partly worn not completely broken. There is a similar strap connecting the battery to the bodywork - check that one too.

I don't think it's the immobiliser - that usually lets the motor start for a second or two, then cut out.
 

sheffboy

avoiding potholes
May 25, 2007
655
1
Those symptoms are also a classic sign of a flat battery. I'd try hooking up some jump leads to the battery and try firing it up. Worth a try before you start spending dosh.
It's most likely something else but you never know. diagnosing faults is all about elimination and that would be my first test.
 
Last edited:
Nov 29, 2007
736
0
Mansfield, Notts
Had exactly the same problem. It was a knackered battery. Put a volt meter on it and when you turn the car over it should hardly drop off. If it drops off by a lot then its knackered. If you've got a second car jump it or nick the battery for a few minutes to test.
 

LeonCupraRevo

Leon Cupra Revo 1
Feb 14, 2008
22
0
SOUTH wales
Finally found the problem to my car

Sounds stupid but here it is.

Called the AA out to have a look, couldnt explain it, until he leant on the battery to have a look down the side of engine if anything had fallen off, and low and behold he noticed the starter motor lead that goes the battery had completely sheered off.

It was just sat there looking all connected until you just move it and hey presto!!!

So i got it started after all that, booked in for service at same time to have new belt on too and wasnt happy!!

Price was £500+ because having to replace water pump when they change the belt, which is stupid!!

Been in since Wednesday its now Monday and still not had it back
 

lc_allan

Northern Monkey
Sep 15, 2006
3,389
4
The water pump isn't that expensive on it's own and us a good idea to change it at the same time as the belt. What you got stung with is dealers prices for the service and cambelt change. Should have tried either an independent specialist or Skoda etc.. for a quote.
 
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