C5 Won't start...!!

[hamster99]

Have been away for a week or so and tried to start the C5 Saturday but all I had was a clicking sound. No problem I thought, it usually needs a bit of a battery top up when its been left for over a week, so plugged in the Ctek and left it a couple of days.

Tried it this morning and still the same. Plenty of battery juice but the starter solenoid just clicks when you turn the ignition switch. I'm guessing the solenoid may have died but does that just happen without any warning signs??

[wurlycorner]

Not speaking from C5 experience on this one, but rather general experience of car starter motors...
Yep, solenoids do just stick.
Whack the solenoid with a big spanner or hammer a few times and try again (honestly!).
If that sorts it, then yep, you have a sticking solenoid. Until you are able to get it stripped or replaced, carry said hammer/spanner with you...

[GiveMeABreak]

Ditto ^ - starter on the way out.

[Hell Razor5543]

If it is the starter motor it could well be worth giving GSF a visit. I had to replace the starter motor in my C5 Mk1 (cost about £120 for a re-conditioned unit), and when I swapped the motor it spun the engine up much faster. As I returned the old motor in the packaging provided I got back over £50.

[moizeau]

Not sure of access, but you can also bridge the solenoid contacts externally, making the starter spin, or if it's the starter sticking, put it in gear and rock it back and forth. Had to do both of these methods in the past with different vehicles.

[hamster99]

Hi all, thanks for the useful tips.

Spent this afternoon getting it off the car after trying to get it to work without success. As usual the Haynes BoL was its usual erroneous self.......says you need to remove clutch slave cylinder, Jack up front, remove engine under tray and then take it out through the bottom.......pah......remove air filter, intercooler hose, 3 bolts and out. 20 minutes tops.

Anyway, got it out, compared it with the spare I took off my previous C5 but pinions were different with different numbers of teeth. Bizarre really as both cars were 2.0 HDI, 2005, 6sp box etc. Anyhow, starter solenoid worked but motor seemed a bit stiff to turn so stripped it down, checked brushes (all ok) cleaned it up, refitted and started first time....RESULT.

Now I have to get round to selling it......wife doesn't think I need 3 cars......it's a shame as it's been really good to me and just keeps on going. Have loads of spares for it too. Oh well!

[ekjdm14]

The wife is quite correct, you don't need 3 cars...





You need to buy a nice CX or BX to keep it company can never have too many cars...

[white exec]

Well done on servicing that starter motor. They have a hard and grubby life.

[Paul-R]

... but pinions were different with different numbers of teeth. Bizarre really as both cars were 2.0 HDI, 2005, 6sp box etc...

Years ago when I was involved with MGs there was a supersession on a starter motor pinion whereby a 10 tooth pinion replaced a 9 pin one. I absolutely could not understand (still don't) how this could work properly as the tooth to tooth pitch would change and so not mesh properly with the flywheel ring-gear. The only way that the pitch could remain the same would be if the diameter of the pinion grew but it didn't do that. It was with much trepidation that I did the first replacement and you know what? It worked no problem. No horrible graunching sounds. No excess wear. Nothing untoward that I could detect.

So it may be that your motors are based on the same philosophy.

[hamster99]

Does seem strange. I also remember that when the started was changed in my other C5 the garage told me there were 3 different possible types, even one with 5 fixings which presumably had a different gearbox housing......

oh well, you have to remember they are French so quirkiness comes as standard......