Help needed Vectra-C.. Starter motor or... ??

[SRidale09]

hi Vectra-C, just wondered if anyone can tell me why my car sometimes fails to start... When I turn the ignition I sometimes get that "click click click" sound, I take it this is the starter motor ticking over?. But if it is what could this problem possibly be because the battery is always fully charged. Would the starter motor need replacing or alternator etc?

Fed up of these jump starts lol =D

[Penfold101]

If it's the starter motor, you'll here a small electrical click of the relay as the battery is connected straight to the motor itself (no fuse). If it's working when you're being jumped off another car then the battery would be at fault, but if you're being BUMPED off another car then the starter would be my first guess. Usually if the alternator has packed up you get lots of other problems with the dash and eletrical systems...

[SRidale09]

ahhh right =) well no electrical problems have occurred and it does work off a bump or jump start. Im just wondering if these starter motors easier enough to replace yourself? Or do they prove difficult. Thanks for your response by the way.

[Penfold101]

I fit works off a jump start mate there's nothing wrong with the starter motor itself, jsut the power getting to it. I'd change the battery first, and go from there, as it sound like it simply isn't holding it's charge...


It's also the cheapest and easiest thing to change...

[rushy]

As penfold said mate, also check the earth strap.

[SRI 2.2i Direct Dude]

Im having the exact same problem with mine. Car started one morning. Nipped into the shop for 2 mins and when i came out it would not start just kept clicking. Checked the battery and it was fine and it worked after using jump leads. It was fine for a week then but one morning had the same problem again. Jump leads back on and it was fine for another week. Yesterday got in it and low and behold same problem again but this time the jump leads did nothing.

Have you fixed yours yet and if so chould you let me know what was wrong with it?

Cheers

[SRI 2.2i Direct Dude]

Im having the exact same problem with mine. Car started one morning. Nipped into the shop for 2 mins and when i came out it would not start just kept clicking. Checked the battery and it was fine and it worked after using jump leads. It was fine for a week then but one morning had the same problem again. Jump leads back on and it was fine for another week. Yesterday got in it and low and behold same problem again but this time the jump leads did nothing.

Have you fixed yours yet and if so chould you let me know what was wrong with it?

Cheers

Just incase anybody else has or gets the same problem it was the starter motor. Also didn't help that the battery was too small

[Birchy63]

Worth noting guys, if you ever suspect a battery to be at fault and it's more than 3 years old, just replace it! If the battery is low it's probably on its last legs anyway.

I've had one explode on me before now following an overnight charge, it's just not worth it.

The levels where really low and on attempting to start the car it caused a spark between the plates (inside) igniting the newly formed nitrogen gas, it went up like a bomb and ruined my paintwork.

[Danialj32]

Been having problems with my battery lately aswell, forever dying on me, and on monday, I had a puncture, swapped the tyre over and got back in to find a flat battery! Bought a new one from makro £45 gonna fit it at the weekend, hopefully it'll sort it out!

[Ianz]

Worth noting guys, if you ever suspect a battery to be at fault and it's more than 3 years old, just replace it! If the battery is low it's probably on its last legs anyway.

I've had one explode on me before now following an overnight charge, it's just not worth it.

The levels where really low and on attempting to start the car it caused a spark between the plates (inside) igniting the newly formed nitrogen gas, it went up like a bomb and ruined my paintwork.

Not nit picking , but I think you mean hydrogen, as nitrogen is an inert gas

Cheers Ian