AlexW
Member
Registered: 25th Oct 08
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Battery terminals clean and tight, could be worth checking the earth lead that goes from the battery to chassis, or battery to engine, however its setup on that.
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daymoon
Premium Member
Registered: 1st Aug 08
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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You haven't got a voltmeter then?
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Offline
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Clicking is because the starter isn't able to draw enough current to start.
Normally because of a flat battery but if you've only just replaced it then I'd be looking elsewhere in the electrics to see what else might cause it not to be able to draw. The battery light on the dash is another major clue - this indicates that the alternator isn't charging the battery - which is a further clue that the battery isn't connected properly.
Starter motor being duff is a bit of an outside shot, you wouldn't normally hear a click if that was the case. If it was seized it'll either make no noise at all or blow a fuse, and then make no noise.
If its trying, check the loom.
Earths as suggested but don't rule out supply side.
[Edited on 15-11-2013 by Ian]
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Corsa_Sport21
Member
Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
User status: Offline
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My old man work van was doing the same. Battery had plenty life, but would only click once and wouldn't start off the key. Fine with a tow start, or bump down a hill.
Starter motor was fuked.
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Been reading online and everything points to the starter motor being shot.
For a few weeks now, it had been struggling to start.
The battery was probably at the end of it's life and it's caused the starter motor to give up aswell (according to someone who had the exact same issue on his z4).
I managed the rock the car back and forth whilst in gear and then the next time I tried to start the engine, there was no click at all.
I don't have a voltmeter but I think my dad does, so shall get on to him.
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AlexW
Member
Registered: 25th Oct 08
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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I'll happily have a look at it too if you'd like (auto electrictian by day)
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Thanks for the offer alex! I'm just heading off to pick up a starter motor to see if thats the problem, if not, i'll give you a shout. Cheers!
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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How much was the starter motor?
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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£64.80 + £42.00 surcharge (which I get back when I return my original one to them). Thats for a Lucas one. Think i've heard of them before, hopefully be alright.
Bosch one was 80 + 85 surcharge. Takes the piss!
Mind you, I didn't realise they were so big.
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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I'm 99% sure it is the starter anyway. Been very sluggish to start for a while now, which is thought was the battery.
battery needed replacing anyway as it went dead twice in the past year due to me leaving the radio on whilst working on the car.
Suppose it's just part of parcel of owning an older car. It's 10 and a half years old now.
So far i've changed:
Coolant expansion tank
Thermostat
Battery
And now start motor
Alternator and belts next I reckon. Probably keep this another couple of years if i'm gonna spend money on maintenance.
[Edited on 16-11-2013 by Ben G]
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Nic Barnes
Member
Registered: 5th Apr 04
Location: nowhere near ginger people
User status: Offline
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probably got fake tan all over the battery terminals soft lad
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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I made sure I cleaned it all off my hands first.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Hopefully that will sort it, that's not a bad price actually, I'd have gone for the bosch one though.
Hope mine doesn't have all these bloody problems. It's done alright so far I guess. New brake discs +pads, new front caliper. And oil I think.
Hope my tyres arrive before this snow
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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I was going to go for the bosch one, but bedgrudged shelling out for the surcharge 
Tbh the car hasn't done too bad at all compared to other used cars i've had. Nothing massively expensive anyway. Most i've paid for a single part has been the expansion tank which was 75 quid.
As said though, alternator ideally needs replacing next year for peace of mind. That'll be a few hundred quid I suspect.
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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Can get them rebuilt alot cheaper. How old is this car mate?
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Built april 2003 so just over 10 years old now.
Bosch alternator is 250 quid on eurocarparts after returning the old one. Not too bad. The lucas one is strangely more expensive.
[Edited on 16-11-2013 by Ben G]
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Nic Barnes
Member
Registered: 5th Apr 04
Location: nowhere near ginger people
User status: Offline
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my bmw is newer than yours. i am therefore of a higher level of prestige than you are in life.
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Yes  good old dad!!!
I found a guide to replace the start motor yesterday and access seemed good, so removed the airbox before he came round.
He then got on with removing the 2 bolts holding the start motor in, along with 3 nuts holding the wires on. Took an hour to remove and re-fit everything.
Went for a drive and after a few minutes I kept getting random lights flashing up on the dash. Then as I was driving home, around a roundabout I lost my power steering not a nice feeling!
Managed to get back home thinking a wire had come loose from the alternator, but checked the battery first and the positive cable was completely off the terminal
Re-fitted it and done them up tight and it starts and runs like a dream now.
I love having a handy dad. Saves me a fortune in labour rates!
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Weirdly, the battery actually seemed to be alright. It has a little glass window that changes colour. It was still green which meant it was fine.
Better to be safe than sorry though, so will keep the new bosch one.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Glad you sorted it mate. Not too pricey either really
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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The feeling when it started was so good I know you all like pictures so here are some boring ones.
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Nic Barnes
Member
Registered: 5th Apr 04
Location: nowhere near ginger people
User status: Offline
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nice work ben
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Generation
Member
Registered: 7th Jul 09
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Nice work Bens dad
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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he wouldn't have been able to see what he was doing without a designated light holder and researcher
car starts up faster than the missus new fiesta now. The difference is night and day.
One problem fixed and another has arisen though  had an issue with the headlight beam sticking in a very low position about a year ago (only one side) and it fixed itself. The same thing has happened tonight.
Unsure exactly what it is. When I move the roller to adjust the beam height, the n/s moves up and down but the o/s just stays in a very low position (lower than the lowest setting allows).
On start-up, the headlights do a levelling sequence, so something appears to have got stuck when they went down.
How bloody annoying!!!!
My neighbours 08 325i convertible has also gone wrong. Bloody bmws!!!!
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Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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