Car won't start, no starter

[RaceDiagnostics]

This happened yesterday for the first time, had been out for half an hour or so, a few stops and starts then after the final stop the car wouldn't start. When attempting to start the is a click and I can hear the fuel pump but the starter doesn't turn over.

I called the RAC but they said they would be 3 to 6 hours so went for a snack and on my return to the car checked the battery lead for tightness. It was a bit loose so tightened it up and hey presto the car started on the next crank.

However I think that was a red herring as the same has happened today. I think yesterday the starter/solenoid just had time to cool down.

So here I am 20 mins from home waiting for it to cool down again. No easy way to get to the starter motor here at the side of the road.

Once home I'll get it up on the ramp and see if it's the solenoid that's clicking and check out the connections down there.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

However I think that was a red herring as the same has happened today. I think yesterday the starter/solenoid just had time to cool down.

A ford focus diesel was failing to start on our allotment...tried everything even jump start wouldn't work. Turned out the battery posts were the issue...cleaning them up and then refitting the earth fixed it....worth a try maybe. A lot of modern cars have battery connectors which are a bit naff to say the least...I've seen similar issues on Peugeot too.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

A ford focus diesel was failing to start on our allotment...tried everything even jump start wouldn't work. Turned out the battery posts were the issue...cleaning them up and then refitting the earth fixed it....worth a try maybe. A lot of modern cars have battery connectors which are a bit naff to say the least...I've seen similar issues on Peugeot too.

Did that first thing this morning.

Anyway 30mins later and it started. Will get it up on the ramp tomorrow after a run and try to replicate.

 

[Blobber]

I had something similar on the Carlton, the Bosch starter gets dead segments on the commutator, our local reconditioning place said it was quite common

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Check engine to body earth.
Check starter motor connections.
Drop test the battery. Then try to start, if it doesn't iffy battery.

Check out the price of a new starter.

 

[Nomad]

What car/year? Look for common issues on online user groups?

My 2007 BMW was dead twice when I tried to start it. Eventually I discovered there was a factory recall for a poor connection from the main battery cable to the fuse box.
Fault was still there when I sold it 2 years later, anytime it failed I reached behind the fuse box and wobbled the cable.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I think I've I've made some progress, I jumped this terminal and the starter fired and the car started.

Next step will be to check the PNDR switch on the side of the gearbox tomorrow.