Starter motor? A "click" is all that can be heard.

[Rullverine]

Im not sure whats at fault here....every morning for the past few days, the car won't start. Ive checked my battery, which is healthy, and all you can here is a click when you turn the key (well when the bonnet is opened). It only happens when the cars been left overnight and has gotten cold, and will eventually just fire up after turning the key a dozen times. Due to my lack of tools and not knowing where to start, I can't work out whats at fault. My only guess is the started motor is getting stuck. It's also odd that I can start it no problems during the day- unless its gotten cold and left for a few hours.
Anyone know what this could be?

Many thanks to those that have helped with all the other questions ive posted!

[rob knights]

Hi I had this on mine & all it was, was a bad connection on the battery treminals. Try putting some vasaline on them & all the earths as well including the main one. May also be the solonoide near the washer bottle.

[Firenzaboy]

I had this on a 1256,turned out to be the earth cable between the engine and the n/s inner wing - mine looked slightly frayed but was connecting,but it must've been loosing that much current that the car wouldn't start from cold.Replaced it and had no further trouble.

[viva power]

i have the same problem on my 1256cc hc. it wont start at all it just clicks even when jump started. i was told replace the starter solonoid. dunno if that will cure anything?. but will try the earth connection.

[fuel]

I just had the exact same problem with my HC, it would be very slow to turn over when it does, and sometimes it would struggle to turn over at all. Last week it just wouldn't start at all, and after holding the starter on for too long I got some smoke coming from the battery cables to the starter.

I pulled the starter out and undid the two slot head screws and pulled the starter apart and cleaned the contacts and brushes with a rag soaked in carby cleaner and then put it back together. I noticed the plastic spacer between the motor body and the nut on the terminal had been melted somewhat, possibly allowing the starter lead to earth out when trying to start it. It seems to be working fine now, but I'm considering replacing all the cables and earthing points to give greater current to the starter motor.

[viva2300]

Well, you've covered just about everything that CAN cause this problem.
Just make sure all the earthing points are clean, solenoid connections too & obviously battery leads & starter leads. If it still does it, then its usually the solenoid at fault.
Paul

[viva power]

i will be checking all of these things this weekend. fingers crossed.

[rolo7011]

A solonoide?

Do you mean this:

[hbpeter]

Yes thats a solenoid.

Peter

[Team Gridlock]

http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/0-335-00- ... -2519.html

Is this one OK for a Viva HB please?

Left the number at the workshop and don't want to travel 20 mins there and back to check it

Thanks..............