203 Not Turning over

[S-A-M / U-N-I-T]

Very common fault with the above model, petrol and derv, more common on the 200-220 CDI.
Turn the key, full dash lights but won’t crank over!
Remove the off side splash cover above the fuse box lid, un-clip the cover for the fuse box! You’re now looking at the front SAM, to the left bottom on the picture; you can see the yellow 20amp fuse, number 54! Check this is a 20 and not the standard 15 the car was fitted with!


If the fuse is blown, un-clip the circled plug, purple wire is a straight feed to the starter trigger! Disconnect this plug and replace the fuse, now turn the key and check that the fuse hasn’t blown again, if the fuse is ok then there a good chance that the starter is causing the short in the circuit!
Taking power from the jump starting point on the other side, under the red flap in the picture,

and try to flash the starter up using the 12 volt from the jump point! There’s a good chance you will be met with a heavy flash as you try this! That pretty much confirms that a new starter is needed,
If you really want to go a bit further, you can get your hand down the n/s of the engine and disconnect the 10mm trigger lead from the starter! Make sure it doesn’t touch any metal! Turn key again to confirm fuse doesn’t blow!!

[Blobcat]

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