A Strange One

[8carlh]

Ok a weird one here, absolutely nothing happening on start up.

Worked on car and it ran like a dream, as the battery was off a while the car told me it needs charging. Took it off and charged it then absolutely nothing.

Bench tested the starter, checked all of the voltages and earths on everything and new battery.

I turn the key and everything sounds as it should but on ignition all I get is a clicking coming from the fuse box, the starter does absolutely nothing.

I have done the BSI reset and still nothing, it just clears the economy mode for a few minutes.

Assuming it's something to do with the immobiliser.

 

Completely at a loss.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Many thanks

[8carlh]

Also my reader sometimes says no codes, and then sometimes P1351 comes up.

[paul.h]

From your other topic, It is a 2008 C5 2.0 HDI+VTR so a 2008 on C5(X7).

 

The fault code from on here gives P1351 IDM Input Circuit Malfunction/ Ignition Coil Control Circuit High Voltage which probably refers to a petrol car so may not mean anything but if you used a Lexia code reader it may come back as a glow plug fault with a different code. This would not stop it turning over on the starter though.

 

Have you been able to check for 12 volts at the starter large cable and then at the starter solenoid when the ignition switch is used ? If there is an immobilser problem you may get a message saying that. You could have a look at the fuse list in your handbook and see if any are relevant and look in the engine fuse box to see if anything is not right. Also try the spare key.

[8carlh]

Well new starter motor on it today, spare keys and still nothing.

The only thing I noticed is that the indicators flash really quickly for a while when I open the cars with the button.

[paul.h]

On our cars if you use the remote locking button when the doors are locked the indicators flash quickly. 

Did you check for 12 volts at the starter motor connections ?

[8carlh]

I did check them and got 12 volts on them all. Could there be damage in the fuse box, water etc that could be stopping a signal being sent or something.

The garage I use is literally a 5 min drive away. I just need to get the car to him for a complete diagnostics. They won't come to me.

So near yet so far.

I am now at the laughing stage, crying fully finished now.

[paul.h]

If you are in the RAC or similar and if you have homestart they will take your car to the garage if they do not get it going.

 

If you got 12 volts at the starter solenoid connection when using the ignition switch, then the solenoid should have clicked and moved to put the 12 volts to the motor. So since you did not get the noise despite getting the 12 volts, then the starter must be at fault. Have you checked to see if the engine turns by putting it in gear and pushing it a bit, just in case the starter is not turning if the engine is seized ?

[MikeLane]

It might be worth squirting some WD40 into the ignition keyhole as (on a Xantia) I had a similar, intermittent, problem I assume was because of a poor contact in the switch.