My 205 Won’t Start – Is It My Relay?

[Atari Boy 11]

As above really, my 205 has developed a starting issue.

 

Basically when I try and start it all I get is a clicking sound.

Once I have jump started it and been around the block and then try to restart it, it is fine.

I have had the car about a year and the last owner told me when I bought it that it had, had a new starter motor, it certainly looks fairly new and replaced.

I am thinking that it might be the relay, am I right?

If so where is it and should I just get a new one?

 

The link below should go to youtube so you can hear the noise that I get when trying to start it.

I took the video on my phone so you will need to turn the volume up to catch the sound.

 

link

 

I don't think I am about to win any awards with that film am I?

 

Thanks

 

Jonny

[Atari Boy 11]

Any idea anyone?

[richard 0]

Jonny,

I'll stick my neck out here and say that it's going to either be the starter motor, and/or the brown multiplug. Check the solenoid switch cable, make sure it is clean, all your earths on the car are good and if it does it again, give it a sodding good thump on the starter.

 

My replacement starter is just over a year old and its started dicking me about now and its hardly used.

 

The tachy relay wouldnt afaik affect the starting circuit..but would affect the fuel pump.

[Bassman 1]

The rapid clicking from the video sounds like the tachymetric relay, especially if it is coming from inside the cabin above your knee. I've had this happen when I have had starting problems, but the fault lay with the starter motor itself. Not sure why the tachymetric relay would click like this, but it only takes five minutes to whip it out and check if the pin has cooked itself and needs re-soldering. This wouldn't explain the starter motor not turning though. Have a look at this thread to see pictures of the relay and what the dry joint looks like on my photobucket site.

 

Tachymetric Relay Thread and Pictures

 

 

Can you hear the solenoid attached to the starter motor moving? You should hear a definite clunk in the engine bay. If so and also if the lights are dimming when you turn the key suggesting a lot of current is being passed, then the solenoid and the wiring to the solenoid from the ignition (through the infamous multiplug) are probably ok and the fault is in the motor itself or a poor earth connection in general.

 

If the solenoid is not moving it is either stuck or you are not getting 12volts at the solenoid and in which case you are best to run a new wire either all the way from the ignition or trace the wire back up from the brown multiplug and replace it from there down missing out the multiplug. This is worth doing as a minimum anyway.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Rob