C-max 66 plate not starting - updated

annabanana82

I have a 66 plate Ford C-max 1.5 diesel around 65000 miles on the clock. The last 2 weeks it's been a bit trickier to start in the mornings, pressing the button it just clicks, after a few attempts it'll say press brake and clutch to start and then it'll start and be fine. 
It did this a few days last week when it was colder, and then stopped but now started again. 
If I'm out and about and restarting after a short break it's fine, but after being sat for 8 hours at work it was again slow to start. 

No other issues and no lights are on, I'd assumed it was the glow plugs but not certain. It's already booked in the garage for early April for brakes but that.was booked before that happened and they have no earlier appointments. 

Is it worth changing the glow plugs on the off chance or is it likely to be something else?

Thank you 

GrumpyDil

When you say not starting is it turning over. If it isn't turning over that sounds more likely to be an issue with starter motor/electrics than glow plugs. 

annabanana82

GrumpyDil said:

When you say not starting is it turning over. If it isn't turning over that sounds more likely to be an issue with starter motor/electrics than glow plugs. 

It just clicks when I press the button, so not turning over

MikeJXE

annabanana82 said:

GrumpyDil said:

When you say not starting is it turning over. If it isn't turning over that sounds more likely to be an issue with starter motor/electrics than glow plugs. 

It just clicks when I press the button, so not turning over

Dodgy starter connections then or starter jammed 

greyteam1959

Get the battery checked out would be the first thing to do.

annabanana82

Thank you, I'll get my Husband to have a look at it tomorrow. 
Battery was replaced 3.5 years ago, was one that had stood awhile during covid

Bigwheels1111

I’ve had 20 or so diesels. From your description my first pick would be battery.
First non start reason, Battery, glow plugs, starter.
Manual or auto. If it clicks, low battery or jammed starter.
Put in first if manual and rock the vehicle forward and backwards then try to start.
With direct injection for newer diesels, you should be able to just force it to start without the glow plugs.
At almost 8 years old the battery is the most likely the culprit.
Get the battery tested at Halfords or Kwikfit.
I would not buy the battery from them.
I use these guys.
https://www.bmstechnologies.co.uk/

Put your reg in to see the battery choices for your car.

annabanana82

Bigwheels1111 said:

I’ve had 20 or so diesels. From your description my first pick would be battery.
First non start reason, Battery, glow plugs, starter.
Manual or auto. If it clicks, low battery or jammed starter.
Put in first if manual and rock the vehicle forward and backwards then try to start.
With direct injection for newer diesels, you should be able to just force it to start without the glow plugs.
At almost 8 years old the battery is the most likely the culprit.
Get the battery tested at Halfords or Kwikfit.
I would not buy the battery from them.
I use these guys.
https://www.bmstechnologies.co.uk/

Put your reg in to see the battery choices for your car.

The battery was replaced in July 20 though so not 8 years old? It's a manual, but it's a definite click from the dash I guess 

Bigwheels1111

Give a location and another member might know a good local mechanic near you.
Time for a proper scan.
Sounds more like an electric fault or failure rather than mechanical.
Do you have AA cover, they will do a full scan if not starting.

annabanana82

Hi, 

So, car still not working and unable to get it looked at until Thursday. It's still intermittent and from all the mechanics I've spoken too starter motor seems to be the favourite. 
Rocking it did help which also supports the starter motor theory. 

But, I've just tried to start it today, and after several attempts I got a message saying cranking time exceeded, I read I need to wait 15 minutes before trying again, but unclear if this supports the starter motor being the issue or something else? 

I don't have home cover, I had tried leaving it at my parents so the recovery would come out - typically started just fine then. 

GrumpyDil

My guess would be starter motor from the description but without seeing the car it is a guess.