Car won't start . No ignition click.

[Steve205 14 1 Cars]

Good afternoon.  

Need some advice. Had my 1989 205 gti 1.6 out earlier today. All was well. Starting/driving all as should be. It is very wet here today, in case this contributes to problem.

Went to garage for petrol on way home. 

Went to start car after fill up. Nothing happened. Key turned. Nothing. 

No ignition click.

No starting motor click. 

 

Battery is well charged

 All electrics working. 

 

Bump started her no problem. Drove home. No issues. 

Went to start her when I got home. Nothing. Lights on dash go out as key turns but no clicking or engine turnover. 

This only happened today. No previous issues ever with starting her. 

 

Any advice where to start? 

Thanks. 

Stephen 

 

Edited October 22, 2022 by Steve205

[SRDT 146]

Ignition switch? You can also have a look at the wiring harness around the starting motor (M300 Démarreur).

[DamirGTI 323]

As above , must've been something with the starter motor circuit .. especially if it "bump starts" .

 

Commonly wire from the ignition switch which activates starter motor solenoid breaks near the very end on/around the spade terminal (it's thin gauge wire , No. 46 on the diagram above) , or both the spade terminal and connection on the starter motor solenoid oxidize , cutting current flow ...

 

Check/test if this wire is still good , and if the joint on the solenoid is oxidized clean it with some sand paper connect back and apply an dab of silicone lube or vaseline on top to seal it/protect it from oxidizing again .

 

Can also start the engine (if the starter works) by manually bridging the starter motor solenoid with screwdriver or an piece of wire ... gearbox need to be in neutral , and ignition in ON position , then by bridging the starter it should spin and start up the engine .. if the starter is in good working order .. if not the starter is bad and will need repair/rebuild .

 

Have a look on Youtube how to - jump a starter motor manually ... it's really quick and easy for front mounted starters especially .. and if you don't have time to repair the wiring now and need the car up and running can connect the starter on a switch which you'll activate from the inside/cabin till you find time to fix the starter wiring . 

 

D

[Steve205 14 1 Cars]

Thanks for the tips. 

Will check wiring etc tomorrow. 

Appreciate it. 

Stephen 

[Spesh 28 1 Cars]

also check the connections in the brown plugs under the column, these get grotty and will cause a bad contact.  I had similar and had just 4v appearing at the starter motor

[Steve205 14 1 Cars]

Checked starter motor. Power supply was good to motor. Got a long bar and gave a few taps. Starter motor unseized. Started as should. Problem found. New starter motor ordered.  Thanks again for advice and diagrams.

Stephen