Dead diesel?

matt_fsr · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:23

Just after a bit of advice/thoughts really, it's not for my car - its for a friend's.... wait for it... 1996 Golf Diesel!

Its' behaved fine over the month of snow and ice in Dec/Jan, but wouldn't start this morning, just gives a 'click' sound from the starter motor apparently, and wont turn over. Separate battery has been tried, and same problem occurs.

Could be a dead starter motor, and I've advised him to check for any leaks, oil level, possibility of piston frozen to the block? (cold night last night!)

Anyone had any experience of similar, or know what would be likely to cause a diesel to not start like that?

Cheers

Dave M · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:25

Dead starter motor - you could try hitting it, I'd just get it replaced though

Felix · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:28

Tap the motor with a hammer.

Participant · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:29

Click means the relay is working, so it's either a faulty / rusty connection to the starter motor or an entirely dead motor.

Matt82 · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:40

thump the starter

next step is make sure there is a good live and earth going to the starter still. if the earth strap has failed then it wont start. the earth should be direct to one of the gearbox-to-engine block bolts

ajstan · 23 Feb 2010 at 14:56

Bump start it? Then you will know if it is the starter motor

silworth · 23 Feb 2010 at 15:00

ajstan said:
Jump start it? Then you will know if it is the starter motor

You mean bump start it. Jump starting still requires the starter motor.

ajstan · 23 Feb 2010 at 15:04

silworth said:
You mean bump start it. Jump starting still requires the starter motor.

Bump start, thats what I mean

- my mistake

matt_fsr · 23 Feb 2010 at 15:47

I'll get him to try a bump start of it, thanks - hadn't thought of that.