Boring old "it won't start" question - Rover 400

Try another battery? Shouldn't go flat within a few weeks and the fact the headlamps dim (presumably a lot) are giveaways.

Darren

could be starter related. could also be alarm/imob related.

you have locked and unlocked the car with the remote before restarting?

Whoops, missed the bit about you buying a new battery already. Sounds like a bad starter (I had one fail on an 820 auto once so no other way of starting it!). Can you push or tow start the car?

Darren

I dunno... it tells you not to do that in the handbook, damage to the cat I think is the concern

I have tried rocking the thing to free up a jammed starter, but due to bad planning it's parked on mud... which makes the job a bit more difficult!

thanks for the input

Paul

yes, followed the instructions in the handbook, I don't think it's that, becuase it does *try* to start... I guess it must be the starter, I suppose I'd better get out there and remove it... bit chilly at the moment for that though

thanks for your input

Paul

In article , Paul Crossley writes

Why not remove the plugs, check it turns over OK.

Warm the plugs in an oven then put back and retry!

Hope this helps. Mart

today I bumped the car into life, so the starter isn't jammed, the battery is good and the engine works

so, I'm assuming it's the starter motor for sure now... is this the sort of thing a klutz like me can easily change, do you think?

and is there more than one component, is the bit above the starter motor a solenoid or something, could it actually be that?

thanks for your help, much appreciated

Paul

Yes the smaller cylinder on the starter is the solenoid and if that sticks either the motor won't turn, or it will but won't engage the engine. You can remove/replace these yourself (though dismantling it is probably not wise unless you've already got a good idea how one works and how it should fit back together!). The most important advice is to DISCONNECT THE BATTERY COMPLETELY before starting. The thick red cable to the starter is more than capable of setting fire to your car if you were to short it to the body or engine with the battery still on!

IIRC, the exhaust front pipe tends to get in the way a bit, but with patience and a good selection of sockets and extension bars you should manage fine. I would suggest you drive the car up some ramps though to give you plenty of room underneath - and the starter motor is heavier than it looks!

Darren

thanks for all that Darren, really appreciated

so I did all you said, ramps, battery, everything, but somewhat predictably, one of the bolts won't undo

so I've got it soaking in some dismantling lubricant, which I'm fooling myself into thinking will magically free it by tomorrow!

Paul

predictably,

DONT TAKE THE SOLENOID OFF!!! I bet It'll never start again with this starter if you do, get your bum down to the scrappys and get another starter, cheaper and 100 times more reliable in the long run. Your starter burns out the solenoid, so if you change it .... guess what!! It'll burn out again so easier just to replace :-)