Mk3 gt6 won’t start - clicking noise from bulk head

[btj]

Hi I can’t get my mk3 gt6 to start

Stuck in a car park

the oil and ignition lights come on on the dash but when I turn the key there’s a clicking noise but nothing else. Could it be a low battery?

 

any help greatly received 

[johny]

Does sound like battery may have died or you have a loose terminal either on battery or starter system. Check connection tighteness...

[martyn wright]

Hi Btj!  Had the same on my vitesse and it was the starter solenoid?

[DanMi]

it could be a stuck starter motor give the starter a sharp tap with a bit of wood or even a hammer. Plus check battery terminals for tightness. A weak battery normal gives a short slow turn over rather than just a click

Edited November 16 by DanMi

[daverclasper]

4 hours ago, martyn wright said:

Hi Btj!  Had the same on my vitesse and it was the starter solenoid?

I always thought a click, pointed to the solenoid working?

[johny]

Well Dave the noise shows that the solenoid is part is trying to operate but I suppose its possible the contacts inside still dont close properly? 

[daverclasper]

Thanks Johny. Useful, I will try and remember that!

[johny]

Unusual though Dave as normally a click is a good sign👍

[Pete Lewis]

its quite common for the contact plate inside goes green .not the easiest things to strip down

the best trick is use an old screwdriver and bridge the terminal posts  if the starter powers up the solenoid has a problem 

you  will get some sparks doing this 

Pete

[Puglet1]

btj.

That’s good advice from all above.

Just make sure the car is in neutral before bridging the terminals on the starter motor.

[DanMi]

sticking starter motors were common back in the day, I always carry something to give the starter motor a tap just in case

[btj]

Thanks so much all for the help. Manage to bump starter to get home 20 min drive, ran fine.  Won't start when I got home, same symptoms. But the battery on charge for 2-3 hrs. Charger said battery wasn't flat. Still won't start, so ordered a new starter motor. Any tips on replacing the starter motor on MK3 GT6. Looks like engine guards out of the way. Battery disconnect, terminal off then motor out?? Anything else? Oil pressure sensor? 

Thanks again for any help.

[johny]

Assuming its a standard starter motor the hardest part is access to its fixing bolts the other side of the bell housing. Also when undoing/tightening the terminal the stud must be held or it can turn as well and damage the electrical connection inside. Hope it is the starter😳

[btj]

Thanks fingers crossed 🙏

[johny]

If tests suggested have been carried out there shouldnt be much doubt👍

[Pete Lewis]

to access the starter bolts on the 6cyl and you dont have magic fingers and a selection of

9/16af bent , even use a ring back to front   spanners you will probably need to remove the tunnel ,

Pete

[Peter Truman]

Doesn’t the big saloon have a stud at the top starter mounting making it easier to hang the starter on it making it easier to fumble around to get the lower/bottom bolt in?

Thought about converting the Vitesse to a top stud, I can fit the remove and starter insitu without removing the tunnel but it takes time

[btj]

13 hours ago, johny said:

If tests suggested have been carried out there shouldnt be much doubt👍

Thanks. Forgot to say the solenoid is new and contacts are good so assuming that’s not the issue. 

[johny]

To be 100% sure (I hate spending money unnecessarily) I use jump leads, carefully, direct from battery terminals to starter motor terminals. I do both positive and negative to rule out all possible connection problems...

[Pete Lewis]

and if you try to do a free test on the bench     clamp it down or it will  run off 

Pete

[SpitFire6]

Hi,
in situations like this, I always put the headlamps on. it narrows down the problem.
Cheers,
Iain.