Help please! Car won’t start

[Leakylunar]

Hi just asking for ideas, lads Renault Clio (2004) won’t start so purchased a new battery still no joy. Noticed starter motor clunked so took it off and got it spinning so put it back . Getting 9-10v at the solenoid when turning ignition so assume relay/fuses are fine . So now what should I check ?
It’s awkward being Saturday so can’t get it in anywhere and he uses his car for work all weekend.

 

[scotjimland]

low voltage at the solenoid .. I would check the earth straps between engine and chassis and between battery and chassis..

 

[Bessy765]

If you have a set of jump leads connect the black one to the negative terminal of the battery and the other end to a clean bolt on the engine, and try to start, this is to make sure you have a good earth from the battery to the engine.

you could also try rocking the car in 2 nd gear and look to see if the engines turns. If the ring gear on the fly wheel is worn the starter bendix may be jamming. These are easy first steps to take before any expenditure.

 

[Leakylunar]

Thank you, tried hitting the starter yesterday, just tried rocking in 2 nd gear and jump lead from -negative to engine bolt earth strap looks fine . My only thought is lack of voltage at starter (9v) .
Seems odd starter working away from the car but not when it’s in situ

 

[Leakylunar]

Just done voltage check to starter body getting 12.61 same as at battery !

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[Landy Andy]

Just to confirm you 12.6v at starter motor, assume that is the big wire?
And what voltage do you have at the small exciter wire when operating the key?
Are your voltage readings with meter earthed to starter/engine block?

 

[Leakylunar]

Just static readings no ignition turned on, taken from battery positive to body of starter

 

[Landy Andy]

Try testing small wire on starter when operating the key

or be crude (as I would) and short between big and small connections and see if the starter spins. I’m sure there is a chance of dying whilst doing this.

 

[Leakylunar]

Ok, just out getting a new starter , what voltage should I see on the smaller wire?

 

[Landy Andy]

Battery voltage. So 12 ish.

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[pappajohn]

Just done voltage check to starter body getting 12.61 same as at battery !

That is not the correct place to check......that's only checking the battery the same as putting both leads to battery pos and neg.
Put one tester lead to the large wire to starter solenoid and the other to the battery pos.
If you have voltage it could be the solenoid has failed.

 

[Leakylunar]

I assume solenoid works as an took starter off and connected directly to battery and the starter spun

 

[Leakylunar]

Just doesn’t seem to work whilst in situ , clunks only

 

[Stoosal]

Might sound a bit spurious but, I take it there are no lights flashing on dash which might indicate alarm fault. I had a Clio years ago and the signal from key to reader around ignition barrel failed and gave symptoms very like yours……ecu prevented starting and was like battery/starter. if you have another key try that.

 

[Leakylunar]

Just got back and checked voltage,
thick wire on starter 10.7v
Thin wire 2.7v

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[Leakylunar]

Tried re setting key and I’m going to get his spare key as well

 

[dunnah01]

Not totally clear what you've tested tbh but sounds like the solenoid contacts are burnt if you're only seeing 10.7 volts at the thick wire from the solenoid to the motor. It would be enough to spin the motor on no load but not enough to spin the engine.

 

[GeoffnDee]

The starter cable connection at the battery positive terminal could be worth checking for tightness.

 

[repairer]

Hard to tell reading through all these posts, but I assuming you are saying engine will not turn over with starter it just “clunks”

if so, have you checked you can manually turn over engine? For example rocking car when in gear?

 

[Leakylunar]

Well fitted new starter and just the same!
And I feel I may be ridiculed
Just checked connections to battery and the starter cable wasn’t even connected!
My fault is taken battery out in the dark disconnecting everything only to miss the starter cable when re connecting.
Oh the shame, so now have a spare starter motor but at least Ive learnt a valuable lesson.
Once again thanks for all the help and speediness

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[Stoosal]

….least it’s working

 

[Leakylunar]

I know my lads pleased

 

[Googlebot]

It’s working. Result!