306 S16 Not Starting

[bobob 0]

My 306 S16 has just decided to not start! It was fine about 2 hours ago, but now will not even attempt to turn over. The starter motor just seems to click. However, I don't think I can hear the fuel pump prime either. I did get it started by bump starting though.

 

The battery is fairly new, about 4 months old. I have tried a search, but I can't seem to find the answer. However, searching on the net, I seem to have found that it could be the battery not being charged enough to turn the starter over as it needs more charge to work than the lights, radio, etc. So my best bet would be to check the earths are OK? And that the battery is OK? How can I check that the start motor is OK?

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

You can test starter off the car by hooking it up to a battery, now there's probably gonna be about 2-3 people that say watch out you don't get shocked. I've done this countless times and never have.

 

Just connect positive to the big terminal, earth to body of starter and cross terminals with a plastic coated screw driver. It should move outwards and start spinning if not... Fudged.

 

Could be earth aswell, check the engine to block earth as this is how the starter earths. Check battery to body aswell, this can cause havoc.

[swordfish210 20]

Same as above really, either the starter or a dodgy earth. I've had both before and they're both pretty easy to diagnose.

[bobob 0]

I have had another go at jump starting it today with some new jump leads, as the previous ones were very old. It didn't try and turn over at all, just a click when the key was turned. Seemed pretty dead. Everything else works in the car electrically though (radio, windows, lights, etc.). So would this eliminate a battery/ earth problem? Would the fuel pump prime? As I didn't hear it...

 

Also, this is the first time I have tried to fix my own car so a stupid question; where is the starter motor? At the front down the bottom of the left hand side (drivers) when looking at the engine?

[DrSarty 100 1 Cars]

You ought to have a Haynes manual really, even if you just download it.

 

Starter motor is down the front, under the inlet manifold and quite tough to get to/work on. It's the round cylinder thing which also bolts into the gearbox housing, as that's where the teeth on the gear of the starter motor engage (i.e. turn) the flywheel.

 

If the fuel pump's not priming then perhaps you've lost a positive connection from your battery somewhere. But if it still is I bet the solenoid on top of the starter motor is playing up. Sometimes giving that a whack can free it up.

 

Otherwise you'll need a new starter and solenoid on an exhange basis, which is around 60+ pounds.

[bobob 0]

  DrSarty said:

You ought to have a Haynes manual really, even if you just download it.

 

Starter motor is down the front, under the inlet manifold and quite tough to get to/work on. It's the round cylinder thing which also bolts into the gearbox housing, as that's where the teeth on the gear of the starter motor engage (i.e. turn) the flywheel.

 

If the fuel pump's not priming then perhaps you've lost a positive connection from your battery somewhere. But if it still is I bet the solenoid on top of the starter motor is playing up. Sometimes giving that a whack can free it up.

 

Otherwise you'll need a new starter and solenoid on an exhange basis, which is around 60+ pounds.

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

I did have a Haynes manual on my email, but it appears to be gone! I will invest in one pronto! Thanks for your help. I will give it a whack, whats the worst that can happen...

Edited July 3, 2010 by bobob

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Mine did something similar. I have just changed it for another and it starts fine now

[bobob 0]

I managed to get the inlet manifold off last night. Which is the first time ever! Even with a rounded off hex bolt. I don't mind this mechanic malarkey., I don't know what I was afraid of before. Wonder if I'll be saying that when I can't get it back together...

 

I'm gonna try and get the starter off tomorrow night. Then get a new one over the weekend

 

  Henry Yorke said:

Mine did something similar. I have just changed it for another and it starts fine now

 

I hope mine will be sorted once the new one is on.

Edited July 6, 2010 by bobob

[welshpug 1,678]

make sure you get the S16/2.0 MI16 specific starter motor, any other XU starter will fit the gearbox but not under the large plastic manifold the RFY engine has due to the different position of the solenoid, its on the front, all other XU's have the solenoid on the top.

[bobob 0]

  welshpug said:

make sure you get the S16/2.0 MI16 specific starter motor, any other XU starter will fit the gearbox but not under the large plastic manifold the RFY engine has due to the different position of the solenoid, its on the front, all other XU's have the solenoid on the top.

 

Interesting. I have the Gti6 inlet manifold and the 6 speed gearbox. Does this open up the starter motor choices? As I am not limited by the plastic manifold anymore.

[jeremy_spoke_in 2]

My 205 s16 had starting issues and it turned out to be the starter. All motor factors i tried were over £100. Online prices were a bit cheaper.

 

Check the for sale section on here you might get lucky like me and get a genuine Pug one for much less.

[DrSarty 100 1 Cars]

  bobob said:

Interesting. I have the Gti6 inlet manifold and the 6 speed gearbox. Does this open up the starter motor choices? As I am not limited by the plastic manifold anymore.

 

Yes (but you never mentioned this). You'll be fine with any typical XU10 starter. The S16 one just had the solenoid in a different place to avoid the extra large ACAV inlet.

[bobob 0]

I have successfully changed my stater motor, and my car now starts better than it has in the past However, I now have an idle issue. It seems to be sitting at around 1200rpm, whereas before i was on 900rpm. What could I have done to cause this? The only thing that is different is the inlet manifold, as I have used a PTFE one .

Edited August 1, 2010 by bobob

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

That would be why, I know a couple of so called PTFE one's I;ve seen leak badly

[bobob 0]

Oh cock! Is there anyway I could stop it leaking? Or 100% confirm that it is the gasket? As I could send it back.

Edited August 1, 2010 by bobob

[bobob 0]

I have tried doing the manifold bolts up again, starting with the bottoms ones first, and it has made no difference - idles at 1400rpm

 

I am going to get a standard inlet manifold gasket and try that, quick question: do I use a Gti6 inlet manifold gasket or a s16 on? I guess the Gti6 one (0349 G1). But if some one could confirm that, that'll be great

Edited August 7, 2010 by bobob