P38 won't start help please

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

Hi all I'm new here so please be kind

I have a 1999 p38 4.6 hse the problem I'm having is when I turn the key to start I hear the relay click but that's it silence please help thanks mark.

West Slope Rover · May 23, 2015

The place to start is the battery. It's either poorly connected or dead. Or both. Put a charge on it and clean up the connections and then see what happens. Then you can look for issues such as bad alternator or the oft occurring RF battery drain.

mozz smith · May 23, 2015

is it in park ??? or does it say anything on dash display ??????????, how long you had it ??? or is it celonoid clicking you can hear ?? regards mozz

tomcat59alan · May 23, 2015

Maccamark said:
Hi all I'm new here so please be kind I have a 1999 p38 4.6 hse the problem I'm having is when I turn the key to start I hear the relay click but that's it silence please help thanks mark.

Put your location in, there may be someone close who can help you.:welcome2:

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

Thanks for the replies had the car for about 4 years now I can here the solenoid every now and then not all the time roughly every 8-9 turns. The battery is new and also tried with jump leads for a boost but nothing.

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

I'm in hampshire.

tomcat59alan · May 23, 2015

Maccamark said:
I'm in hampshire.

Big county.

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

Sorry Basingstoke hampshire

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

The car is in park and the only other things on the dash are alarm fault and airbag fault. So I have had issues with battery drain and awaiting part for alarm.

tomcat59alan · May 23, 2015

Have you tried moving the gear stick whilst holding the key over to start position?

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

No I haven't what should I expect by doing this ??

mozz smith · May 23, 2015

IGNITION SWITCH BURNOUT POSSIBLY ??????????

THATS FOR TOMCAT EH

tomcat59alan · May 23, 2015

Maccamark said:
No I haven't what should I expect by doing this ??

If the inhibitor switch is dicky then moving the g/lever a little may just make a contact. Failing that, as per post 2, have you checked your battery is fully charged as even a new one can be duff. Check the leads on the starter motor are tight and the earth straps from the battery and there should be another from the body to the engine. You can try a jump lead from the - ve terminal to the engine and see if that helps, if it does then you have an earth problem. Do you have power to the main lead at the starter motor?

mozz smith · May 23, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
If the inhibitor switch is dicky then moving the g/lever a little may just make a contact. Failing that, as per post 2, have you checked your battery is fully charged as even a new one can be duff. Check the leads on the starter motor are tight and the earth straps from the battery and there should be another from the body to the engine. You can try a jump lead from the - ve terminal to the engine and see if that helps, if it does then you have an earth problem. Do you have power to the main lead at the starter motor?

Some cleverer lads than me on here !!!!!! + wammers and tomcat .but only available if aldi is shut

hoping there both well !!!!!

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

I have moved the gear leaver and just by wiggling it and you can here the solenoid clicking it also tried to crank over on two occasions but very weak and that was with jump leads connected.

tomcat59alan · May 23, 2015

mozz smith said:
Some cleverer lads than me on here !!!!!! + wammers and tomcat .but only available if aldi is shut hoping there both well !!!!!

Cheeky Manc bugger, how are you mate and what's with selling the beast?

Datatek · May 23, 2015

Maccamark said:
I have moved the gear leaver and just by wiggling it and you can here the solenoid clicking it also tried to crank over on two occasions but very weak and that was with jump leads connected.

So that sounds like either the battery is dead, not unusual on a P38, or there is a bad connection at the battery or earth straps etc.
If the battery is totally flat, a jump might not start it either.

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

Ok thanks will put the battery on charge today and try again in the morning. Will also check the earth straps etc thanks for your help been an eye opener as usual with these cars.

Datatek · May 23, 2015

Maccamark said:
Ok thanks will put the battery on charge today and try again in the morning. Will also check the earth straps etc thanks for your help been an eye opener as usual with these cars.

Put a meter on the battery and see what voltage you have before you charge it.

Maccamark · May 23, 2015

Will do. Have to wait for me mate to come round and help me push it out the way of the garage. Typical breaks down in the way

P38 won't start help please

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Similar threads