Still won't start!

[benny3008]

I posted the other day about my Rover 214 not starting, I thought it was the immobiliser which I now think it isn't, I tried a different battery in it today and it made a different sound but it still won't turnover, the sound it made was like a squeaking, it sounded as though it didn't have enough push to turnover the engine so gives up, I tried putting it in first gear with handbrake off and rocking it to free up any stiff parts (it has been sat for a while). this hasn't worked, anyone got any ideas what it could be? before it was sat for a long time, it was used daily but struggled with cold starts. could it be that my starter motor has bitten the dust? :-(

[NazNomad]

Sounds like the starter motor might be seized up, can you turn the starter motor by hand?

[benny3008]

i'm not sure, should I be able too? I haven't tried and I cant now as it's too dark but i'll give it a go tomorrow.

[benny3008]

Would simply turning the crankshaft with a socket make the starter motor turn with the engine?

[benny3008]

yeh, i've looked at every forum I can find on the net, I personally cant see how it would be the immobiliser now, it's making a very different sound to what it was before, it is trying to start but not getting the power it needs to give it the final push to turnover. :-( and yes, it's beginning to seem like a curse!

[Khandro]

"I tried a different battery in it today "- do you know that this battery is fully charged? If you are not certain you would be better using a doner battery from another car via jump leads. If the syptoms remain, at least you can completely eliminate it as a battery problem.

[ChuckFickens]

Rover 200 immobilisers don't stop the engine turning over, it just won't fire.

Check all the connections to the starter and check the engine and starter is properly earthed to the body. also worth giving the starter motor a couple of good whacks with a hammer (seriously)

[benny3008]

Khandro, the battery i tried in it is a battery from a car that is used daily so it is fully charged, it had been used only 5 minutes before i swapped it to my car. i have already tried it on jump leads which did nothing, the original battery from my car is completely knackered i think but if a fully charged battery cant turn over the engine then there is definitely a problem past battery!

[AlBags]

Benny .. I also told you to check the starter solenoid .. and main lead connections and engine earth strap.
You said nothing about this.

4 days ago ...
'If its clicking or fizzing/buzzing on the key turn, it may well be the starter solenoid, or the battery cable connections .. or even the main starter cable connections need checking.
Also look at the main engine earth cable and connections'

[Andyvon]

Hi Benny.

I had similar problems with a Rover P6 a few years ago. It would barely turn over despite the battery being new and fully charged. I then found that the supply wire to the solenoid was quite rotten. The insulation had disintegrated and the copper core had rotted. I fitted a new wire and connector, cleaned everything up and it was much better. I then found that the battery earth lead contact to the bodywork in the boot was rusty so that needed cleaning up too and a good earth made. The starter span superbly after that and I never had any more trouble.

[dougielogan]

Take the spark plugs out, rovers are notorious for head gaskets, and the car could be hydraulicing,

[thebarron]

Why on earth are you driving a rover

[snags]

Save yourself a lot of hassle... sell the car and buy something of similar value with the proceeds... like a toaster or a kettle...

[thebarron]

Good one snags.

[Answerprancer]

I agree with what CF said about banging the starter motor with a hammer - they can get jammed with metal particles and this is a tried and tested way of making them work again.

[TonyV]

Baron - will you not hear any satitisfaction to know it's started - even it it is a Rover - By the way Benny starter motor will not turn over if you turn crankshaft - unless Starter motor is permantly engaged which it should'nt be. Are you capable of removing starter motor?

[thebarron]

Take it to the scrap yard.

[TonyV]

prancer will be best to give soloniod a bang - but only a temporary fix - wait till it gets to MOT station !!!! if it has been stood for a while. But I would suspect wiring / earth problem - if Benny can remove starter - he will discover if faults are there?

[Answerprancer]

Also, have you tried jump starting it ?