Just bought TD4, started OK yesterday, today clicking noises from Starter, any suggestions on remedies-

KayAmy said:

Just bought TD4, started OK yesterday, today clicking noises from Starter, any suggestions on remedies-

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Could be a problem with the starter motor, or it could be a battery related issue (flat/loose terminals etc). I also had those symptoms when I was very low on fuel and was parked on a steep hill. (Pumping many times on the gas pedal while attempting to turn it over got it started in that case.)

If the engine is not turning over and it`s just the starter clicking then it sounds like a low/flat battery.
As normally if the starter is knackered then you don`t get any response at all.

The reason for the clicking is that when the starter solenoid closes the sudden demand for power reduces the voltage available and the solenoid drops out. As soon as it does the voltage increases and it again switches on causing the cyclic on/off procedure.

The question is why is the voltage dropping?

Firstly test the battery under load or get it tested. It is of no use to put a voltmeter across an unloaded battery as, unless it is totally shot it could still register 12.5+ volts.
If this shows that the battery is serviceable then the problem is a high resistance in the feed cables. Clean the connections in the power line by removing, scraping and re-greasing them. Pay particular attention to the earth lead connections as these are usually low down, out of sight an probably haven't been touched since first assembly.

If these steps don't cure the problem the its likely to be the contacts in the solenoid. Replcaements are available at a much lower cost than replacing the whole solenoid.

Thank you all for your advice, I feel a chump as when I jumped it-she lit up.