Starter motor not turning

creedp

I just went to start car and when I turn the key nothing happens. I can hear a clicking sound but the starter motor doesn't turn. It was starting perfectly up to now although I thought there was a hesitation earlier today. What could this be? The starter motor? Would there have been any warning of it going wrong? Any idea how much it would cost to replace for a Ford S-Max l TDCI.

Try giving the starter a tap with a hammer, then starting it.

creedp

Dónal wrote: »

Try giving the starter a tap with a hammer, then starting it.

Thanks. Sorry for the ignorance but where exactly is the starter motor? Its dark and I only have a ****tty torch!!

George Dalton

Assuming the battery is ok then it will most likely be the starter motor. They are a common failure on those Fords.

Mech1

Dónal wrote: »

Try giving the starter a tap with a hammer, then starting it.

Careful, those days are gone, lots of starters have ceramics nowadays, you dont wanna hit that, stone dead and not fixable after one strike!

allthedoyles

check the battery connections and tighten them

creedp

George Dalton wrote: »

Assuming the battery is ok then it will most likely be the starter motor. They are a common failure on those Fords.

How difficult are these to change? What kind of money would I be looking at to get it done at a garage?

creedp

Mech1 wrote: »

Careful, those days are gone, lots of starters have ceramics nowadays, you dont wanna hit that, stone dead and not fixable after one strike!

Are they repairable or must they be simply be replaced so worth a chance to give a tap?

George Dalton

1.8 or 2.0?

Mech1

creedp wrote: »

Are they repairable or must they be simply be replaced so worth a chance to give a tap?

Depends on whats wrong, dont hit it until all other avenues have been proved to be ok.

Mech1

Hows your clutch?

creedp

George Dalton wrote: »

1.8 or 2.0?

2L tdci.

@Mech1 - clutch is fine no issues that I can identify. Am aware of DMF problems and keep an ear open for vibrations. Currently exhaust pipe has 2 significant holes so its quite noisy and feels a bit rough as a consequence. Problems seems to be mounting .. parking sensors on the blink also!!

Prenderb

Auto electrician should be able to sort it out. Could be relay or fuse, or the solenoid (a magnetic switch) in the starter.

Have you tried push start?

creedp

Prenderb wrote: »

Auto electrician should be able to sort it out. Could be relay or fuse, or the solenoid (a magnetic switch) in the starter.

Have you tried push start?

Presumably an Indy garage would be able to diagnose the problem. I ended un in a Ford dealer the last time I had issues as my wife had the car and she headed to the nearest Ford Dealer to hand. Not to be recommended in this case from a cost perspective I suppose.

As for push start iwould need a tow .. will try and get someone in the morning and if no luck will ring the breakdown service thats provided with insurance.

burke027

Hit away the starter is at the front of the engine on them if I remember correctly. I would say ur looking anywhere up to 180 to have the starter overhauled but in total I'd say 250 260 should get ya out. Have changed Afew on those mondeos there's no issue hitting them with a bar at all.

creedp

burke027 wrote: »

Hit away the starter is at the front of the engine on them if I remember correctly. I would say ur looking anywhere up to 180 to have the starter overhauled but in total I'd say 250 260 should get ya out. Have changed Afew on those mondeos there's no issue hitting them with a bar at all.

Just to update. I tried hitting starter and checked battery connections to no avail. Rang the insurance breakdown service and the guy that came out said it was the starter. The local Ford dealer wouldnt look at it until Monday so he rang a local Indy and he agreed to fit a starter on Saturday morning. HE said part was €220 plus VAT and he would do the job for €300 all in. I agreed as I need car on Monday. Collected car on Sat and asked if starter was dirty or what did he think caused the failure. He said not to be looking for trouble with regards to dirt in starter .. basically it seems starter was not dirty and its likely it was the solenoid that was the problem. There was no debating with him and I didn't even get an invoice as he promised to post it on .. this was after my credit card payment went through!

As a matter of interest does €220 plus VAT seem expensive for starter? I looked it up online and could get one for £110 plus VAT but maybe this differential is not unusual. In any case he didn't seem to charge much for labour. Also if the solenoid was the problem would it have been prudent to also change the starter when the car was being worked on?

Anyway glad to have car back but I must now ask around for a recommended local Indy (maybe it will be this guy - depending on whether he actually posts on the invoice!!) to whom I can turn to the next time I have trouble.