Clio Not Starting

[Sandy110]

Hi I have a 1999 Clio 1.4 5 door which refuses to start or even turn over the engine.

The battery is o.k., I've just charged it, but even trying to jump start with jump leads from another car nothing happens. The starter moter engages but won't turn the engine over. Could it be siezed, could I try and tow start without doing any damage? Sorry to be a nuisance but I'm a complete novice.

[qapmoc]

Check that the large power cable from the battery is actually and correctly connected to the terminal on the starter motor, it might be -
1. Loose
2. Broken off
3. Corroded (not likely)

If all that is OK then you probably need a new starter motor, the starter motor has a set of large electrical contacts inside it which give the main power to the starter motor ''after'' it has actually engaged with the engine. It could be that the contacts might be burnt out on yours.

You should be able to tow or push start it without any problems but if you are not sure then open the bonnet, put the car in 3rd gear with the brakes off, key off, not on a hill and get somebody else (maybe two somebodies) to push the car a bit and you watch to see if the fan belts move as the engine should turn.

[Sandy110]

Thanks for your answer.

I've had a garage look at the problem this afternoon and it appears the engine is siezed due to the cam belt breaking. So that's put paid to that. Thanks for trying.

[qapmoc]

Hi Sandy, sorry to hear about your problem. I suppose that you will have to put it down to a bad end to the old year and hope for a better start to the new one.

btw - Your question was a bit incomplete because the car must have given some kind of trouble with the engine stopping suddenly or something like that which you did not mention.