Non-starting "click"

[Mark Elder]

Any ideas what the issue is here:

Having used my car very little for over 3 years, this past weekend I did more miles than in those 3 years - wow it was fantastic!

Started perfectly last week and over weekend until Sunday morning, then completely unexpectedly, I went to start it up and "click" from the rear then nothing - no turning of engine.

I looked around for what I must have left switched on overnight - but nothing. Tried again. Nothing except the click.

I checked the battery voltage - 12.3 volts. That's not great, but plenty to turn it over. Connected my jump-starter and left it for a few minutes. Tried again and nothing except the click.
So I wondered if the starter motor was jammed. Pushed it forward and put it in gear to jog the engine a little. Then it was happy to start immediately with no sign of any battery sluggishness. So assumed problem was a starter lock up.

I let it run for a few minutes and switched off. Came back in an hour and tried to start - again just a click. Tried again only 5 seconds later and immediately started. Drove 100 miles including a couple of stops and no problems.

Left it parked in my garage until today (Wednesday) and went to do some investigation. It started immediately on first turn of key so not much investigation to do. Drove out of garage and around to house. Switched off. Came back 5 minutes later. Nothing except a click!! Tried again 5 seconds later and it started up just fine. Drove for 30 miles with a couple of stops - restarted fine each time.

So what could the cause be? Is this maybe the "DME relay problem"? I swapped the DME relay some years ago having heard about the problems with the original - so the current one is not the car's original. But maybe they deteriorate?

All ideas welcome. Thanks

 

[les richards]

When mine did that it was the starter motor. Most likely the solenoid but not sure how easy it is to get that part on its own. While the starter is out (to change the solenoid) might just as well fit a new starter.

 

[nickgardner]

It’s not the DME relay- if that fails engine turns over ok but won’t fire. Sounds like starter motor to me.

 

[993C2EX]

I’ve had this and still do from time to time as have a couple others on this thread.
there are several possible issues including ignition switch, solionoid, starter motor and ……. Your alarm immobiliser.
the most expensive fix is the starter / solionoid, then the ignition switch and then several hours working on the wiring of the alarm.
Ive not fixed mine I just live with it. Click click click start sometimes and sometimes it goes for months and starts every time.
Often the issue is when it’s hot but sometimes it’s when it’s not been started for weeks and is cold but in all instances I’ve learnt that it will eventually start. Sometimes it takes just two attempts and sometimes it takes 7 or 8 but it always starts in the end.
it’s definitely something I want fixed in the same way I want my sticking clutch peddle fixed but in both cases I don’t want to spent £1,200 only to find that the big fix was not what it needed.
not sure this helps but I hope you might at least be able to try again, and again and maybe experience that it will start, it just needs to be teased

 

[pse_SC]

Yes, starter motor, I have had this as well.
Cured by removing starter motor, having it refurbished, etc... there are still people around who can do this properly. Much cheaper than a new one []

 

[993C2EX]

Some time this winter I will need my engine out to complete some other works. HT leads, oil seals etc.
It sounds like it might be worth me taking the starter for refurbishing at the same time.
Do you have a record of who did yours?

 

[RHT45]

Hi Mark - long time no see, hope you're well. I moved south to Shropshire in 2020 so no wonder....

I had the same problem with the GT3 at exactly the time I decided to sell it after 6 wonderful years of ownership. Perhaps it was trying to tell me something....? Anyway symptoms were exactly as you describe. The car had done under 25k miles. It wasn't the battery so I removed the (original) starter motor and took it to a specialist autoelectrical company here to test. The following day they rang me to say it was fixed! They'd tested, ordered and fitted a new solenoid - cost £25! Problem solved. Fingers crossed yours is as simple. Not that removing it was that easy.....

Good luck, Richard

 

[Mark Elder]

Thanks all of you (and Hi again Richard) - it's clear what I need to do - although I don't have space/facilities to remove it myself so I'll need to get someone to do that, and put up with the car on a ramp, while I get it refurbished. I might try to put up with it for a while and see if using the car much more for a few months gets it back into its good ways. Very clear to me that leaving the car pretty idle for 3 years has not been good for it. (I've also just had to have the alternator replaced).