2.0 190e starter motor not turning; central locking played up before hand

[hiswitsend]

Hi,

Replaced the alternator on my 2.0 190E yesterday, just in case that turns out to be relevant.

Jumped into the car at lunchtime and when I tried to start was aware of the central locking doing something odd and the boot lid warning light was on constantly...is this a standard fitment or a relic of an alarm system that was fitted?

Anyway, went out, open and closed boot, jumped back in and the car started.

Went to shops and the car did not start when I cam back out. I could here the petrol pump running and when I turned the key, there was a humm, but the starter motor did not turn.

There was also some electrical noises coming from the front passenger footwell.

Checked all the fuses, they were fine...eventually had to bump start the car, which it did, no problem.

Got back to work, parked on a hill, turned the engine off and tried to start it again, same symptoms

Now, as far as I recall, the ignition lights did not dim when trying to get the starter motor to turn...which to me rules out a jammed starter....:idea: unless the electrical noises were from underneath the car and the wiring has failed.

Anyway, thought I would post this question to try and give me a headstart on what to look at tomorrow morning.

First thing will be to get to teh starter motor and apply 12v to it via a jump lead to see what happens....is there anything else that I need to check, cos other than a jammed starter, or failed solenoid I am not sure what else it could be.

Thanks in advance

Dave

 

[Aussie Nick]

If the old alarm is still on board a temporary disconnection of the battery may have sent it into arm mode especially if it has an auxillary backup battery thereby causing a lockout. However the car should not have started at all. If it is an old alarm then the lockout may not have ocurred imediately. Certainly the central locking and boot warning light would suggest some interaaction with the alarm

 

[hiswitsend]

Have had the battery disconected a few times before, without problem; 'course, that does not mean that it hasn't this time...:-(

 

[Aussie Nick]

I think working backwards from the starter motor is a very good approach.

 

[hiswitsend]

AGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Working on the car in the pouring rain, so car is up and supported on axle stand and under tray and air filter housing removed....just go to check the voltage with the ignition on....alarm goes off!!!

First time in 4 years that it has decided to show itself, disconnect battery, reconnect and fiddle with the wire in the passenger foot well, alarm is sounding, then goes off, try and start the car from the elevated passenger side...starter motor springs into life

Gets outto tighten the battery connection......door swings shut...alarm locks the doors, trapping the only key in the ignition!!!! :cry:

Disconnect battery, hoping against hope that it will cycle the locks...it doesn't.

Despondantly come in here to post and not paying attention as I close the bonnet and it shuts properly....:roll::Oops:

Will create a new post, but anyone know where I got from here...other than an asylum with a well padded room and no sharp objects?

 

[Aussie Nick]

Mate give it a break . Go shopping or down the pub. No good now you will have to come back to it with a clear mind.i think a locksmith may be the only solution now..I will come back to you as soon as Gladiator finishes.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
If the alarm system has suddenly decided to "wake up" the reason why the starter is,nt turning is because the older alarm systems only immobilised the starter motor.
Trace your starter solenoid wiring as the immobiliser should be wired in this line somewhere.
I would start by looking under the dash in the footwells as alarm control boxes commonly fitted here.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Mate are you there? Are you able to get into the car? I think the last post from Bigasotonuk may prove useful. However we still have to deal with this total lockout. I dont know why you shut the bonnet mate.The ****** thing was going nowhere and no one in their right brains would bother pinching it.

 

[hiswitsend]

Yup, still here, still locked out...only shut the bonnet as it is absolutely chucking it down here and didn't want stuff getting soaked.

Sounds like the case that Bigastonuk mentioned. The alarm is in the passenger footwell and it is those wires that I moved that seemed to 'clear' the fault.

Have been able to prise the top of the door open a bit to get a wire coat hanger and can get it onto the passenger interior handle, but cannot get enough purchase on it to open the door. The only other thing I thought of was trying to activate the electric window switch, but no idea what I could use to do that, that would fit.

Looks like its time to call the AA and upgrade to home start for £60...locksmith wanted £75+vat..

 

[Aussie Nick]

Yes I know but you will damage the car trying to get into it.Has it stoopped raining? do you think you can get the wires to touch if you rock the car or is this being too fanciful?

 

[Aussie Nick]

:idea:Just thought of something. Where is the window switch that youare thinking of moving with an instrument .is it on the door or is it on the centre console?

 

[hiswitsend]

Yeah, tried disconnecting and reconnecting the power, before I shut the bonnet, hoping that that would cycle the door locks, but no joy.

AA have been called...here's hoping they can open it without damaging it...i.e. quarter light stays intact.

Thanks for your input guys, you especially Nick, was appreciated.

 

[Aussie Nick]

are you there mate your computer is registering as if you are online

 

[hiswitsend]

Its on the centre console

 

[Aussie Nick]

I was thinking that one of those long plastic straps used for joining floor sheet would be stiff enough and thin enough to poke through the window opening The come in quite long pieces too.Do you know what i mean most decent hardware outlets have them i always keep a few in my shed

 

[Aussie Nick]

ok it is better if it is on the centre console for the plastic strap as it will arc over to the control quite easily from the top of the window

 

[hiswitsend]

have been searching the whole house for things to use and absolutely nothing...will probably find the ideal thing once the car is open.. :roll:

 

[Aussie Nick]

Is there a harware outlet open near you that supplies flooring boards

 

[hiswitsend]

There is one in town that I could've got a lift to, but the AA are saying that they will be here about ten past 3....

Just checked and the is no direct line of sight to the switch, so would need be flexible in one axis, but not the other.

 

[Aussie Nick]

These straps are stiff and flexible the Sparkys use them to feed wires int difficult places.You could hook it down to the switch and wit a little pressure the window should come down. Any way see how you go with AA.If they cant get in go looking for onre of these straps .They are invaluable for their agility