Fiesta Starting Problem

bigtel_2

Ford Fiesta Mk 6, 1.25 2005

Hi,

My car was running fine and the last time I drove it was last night. Up until this point I've never had a problem with it.

I went to start it up this afternoon as usual and there was a grinding noise coming from the engine bay and it didn't start at all.

I've checked the battery with a multimeter and its reading 12.3v and all the electrics and lights work etc.

The noise is coming from the left hand side of the engine bay, possibly the alternator area? But I'm not sure a faulty one of these would cause the car not to start?

When I turn the key I hear the fuel pump noise as usual then when I turn it to start the car up its a loud grinding noise and the engine doesn't even turn over. Sounds like a horse being strangled!!

I've tried it about ten times and after leaving it for twenty minutes it did start once but I turned it off to see if this was just a one off and it was as it won't start again now.

If needed a can make a video to show the noise and where I think the problem is coming from.

Thanks

goldspanners

ive never heard a horse being strangled,but it sounds like it may be a problem with the starter motor. when you turn the key does the engine actually turn over,can you see the belts and pulleys moving?

even although your battery is showing 12.3 volt it doesn't really tell us much about the condition of the battery, the voltage it drops to when being turned over would give a better indication as to the condition of the battery.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

It doesn't sound too serious, either a starter motor fault, or a broken tooth on the flywheel.

Try putting the car in first gear, taking the parking break off, and rocking it backwards and forwards a couple of times (don't worry it won't roll away). Then take it out of gear and try starting it up.

mcjordi

bigtel are you on ukfn by any chance same problem posted there earlier this week

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

It doesn't sound too serious, either a starter motor fault, or a broken tooth on the flywheel.

Try putting the car in first gear, taking the parking break off, and rocking it backwards and forwards a couple of times (don't worry it won't roll away). Then take it out of gear and try starting it up.

PULL UP HANBRAKE FIRST THOUGHT dont just pull outa gear and start it will roll away! rofl
described sounds like the starter is on its way out, that nothing to worry about auto leky can fix it rather than buying a new one (but saying that even the new ones are reconditioned even at main dealers) and can recon it for you.

if its fly wheel then worry:P

bigtel_2

mcjordi wrote: »

bigtel are you on ukfn by any chance same problem posted there earlier this week

Yes that was me as well

It only did it one more time and I took it to my local garage and he said starter motor as well but it was fine at that point so couldn't fix anything! He said it might of just been one of the teeth slipped out of the cogs and had dropped back into place.