Engine Wouldnt Start This Morning...

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

erm as above. i jumped in the car (88 1.9gti) this morning at about 6.30 to take my fiancee to work. turned the key and nothing... not turning over or coughing etc, just a whining noise for 3 or 4 seconds. so i turned the car off and attempted again... nothing, just the same whining noise. "weird" i thought. tried for a third time, and again nothing, just whining, then 3-4 seconds later it suddenly sparked into life. no hesitancy, just suddenyl decided to work. car drove absolutley fine.

 

im looking through my haynes service/repair manual trying to figure out wtf is wrong. im worried this may happen again, and would rather sort the issue out.

[Anthony 1,003]

The whinning noise was probably the fuel pump running, which it will do with the key held in the crank position.

 

205 starter motors are notorious for doing what you mention through a combination of poor wiring and sticky solenoids, but normally rapidly cycling the key between ignition and crank was normally get it to turn over fine.

[kate205gti 4]

probably duff connection to the starter motor or gearbox earth - have a check of the wires going here, may have got a bit damp/doesnt like early mornings

[luggy 13]

I used to have the same issue, solenoid wire bypassed from the brown multiplug, working good starter motor and new igntion barrell. 2 ways I could get round it.

1. Give the tachy relay by the ecu a few whacks or

2. Have a droplead connected from solenoid starter and touch it to the + on the battery. (Really embarassing if you leave it in gear)

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

thanks for that chaps. il have to get my resident mechanic onto it, as im rather useless with things like this.

 

i presumed it was some sort of connection/damp.

 

i did ask on scoobynets section "other marques" and the answers were similar. it was suggested i give the starter motor a tap with a block of wood incase its sticking, or indeed clean it out. but i was told in no uncertain terms, its a "bitch" to do without removing the inlet manifold.

 

bugger.

[ashley peddle 3]

its easier to take the radiator out imo - but it can be done without removing the rad or manifold (just involves a lot more blood/swearing/sweat/tears )

 

good luck in getting it sorted

Edited August 11, 2008 by ashley peddle

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

has anyone a diagram or good description of where the starter motor is. i honestly have no idea on this particular part.

[ashley peddle 3]

looking down on the engine it is basically directly below the manifold. easiest way to describe it is about 20cm long tube (roughly 10cm diameter). you may have to pull the oil filler cap out the way to see it

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

well i did find it quite easily after that, and gave it a few taps with a wooden block.

 

but this morning it was worse than ever

 

took a good minute or so to get started. a tip someone suggested over on scoobynet was (when turned off) to put the car in gear and then roll it forwards and backwards, as this moves the flywheel. i tried that to no avail, unless the last turn on the key was meant to be on...

[richard 0]

Mine does this, and ultimately replacing the starter fixed the issue.

 

Its doing it again now, so will be replacing it with a new one (gti6/vts or the like) as these seem to be better (and if anyone has one!)

Another thing to keep an eye on is it could be the battery. When you turn the key, it dumps voltage.

 

Mine is affected by heat. If its hot it wont hardly start at all. If its cold generally its ok after a couple of turns. Yours though at 6.30am isnt going to be affected by heat!

 

Easy to get the starter out without removing the inlet or radiator(be careful though when removing you dont bash the rad fins) just you need small hands and to know where the bits are by feel.

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

Mine does this, and ultimately replacing the starter fixed the issue.

 

Its doing it again now, so will be replacing it with a new one (gti6/vts or the like) as these seem to be better (and if anyone has one!)

Another thing to keep an eye on is it could be the battery. When you turn the key, it dumps voltage.

 

Mine is affected by heat. If its hot it wont hardly start at all. If its cold generally its ok after a couple of turns. Yours though at 6.30am isnt going to be affected by heat!

 

Easy to get the starter out without removing the inlet or radiator(be careful though when removing you dont bash the rad fins) just you need small hands and to know where the bits are by feel.

 

does seem like its the starter giving up the goose. i personally wouldnt be able to attempt the switch over without a decent d.i.y. mechanic to help, im just not that advanced yet (but i can do tyre pressures ok ). seriously, it may be a case of getting another starter motor then, but what other models fit the 205? any newer peugeots of citroens maybe?

 

only does it on a morning when shes been stood say 15-16 hours from the previous day (un-garaged im afraid).