GSClarke

The garage just rang. Full marks to those who said the Cam Belt lol. At least I think that's what "la correa distribucion" means. Just waiting for the price now. Google translate says "Distribution Belt". Just hoping now that it didn't cause any damage when it broke.

I am thinking that maybe it isn't worth penny pinching and a new one might be best, maybe straight from Citroen here in Tenerife. Or am I being naive? Has anyone replaced one? What did you do?

It looks like the BSI unit so the car has been towed to the garage. :( If that is so then they have suggested I get another from the scrap yard or eBay. The garage will confirm tomorrow. Any advice before I start looking? I am in Tenerife so may have to be posted from mainland Spain or possibly elsewhere.

Thanks all. It's a 1.4 petrol manual, It has an immobilizer chip but that has been checked this afternoon. It has been stood for 4 months approx. and there is fuel in the tank.

It just makes a constant whirring noise but no clicking, no attempt to start, nothing on bump start down the hill. If trying to start in 1st gear it does jerk forward but still nothing. Someone suggested that meant not the starter motor but I wouldn't know about that. I was hoping it was a faulty key as it looked a bit dodgy but the new one has made no difference.

Sorry I'm not very 'car-minded'. The car has been sat doing nothing for a while and now won't start. I thought it may have been a faulty key as it was looking a bit tired so followed the instructions on this forum for a key reset in case it was an immobilizer problem. No luck. Went and got a replacement key and still no luck. The red battery light flashes after opening the door with the key but on turning the key there is a continuous noise but no sound of the car turning over or trying to start. No sign of it being a battery issue. I am told it doesn't behave like a starter motor problem but I am not sure about these things. i am wondering what else it might be before I get it towed to a garage. :(

Checked the posts here and tried key reset etc, been today to get new key but problem still there. Battery appears fine, 12v fully charged up to 15v. Car makes continuous noise but never fires. Won't jump start even on very steep hill. Will jerk forward if trying to start in 1st gear. Any suggestions before i have it towed to a garage?