starter motor (again! ... the forum groans)

[brett_starter]

Heya, I have a peugeot 206c and I have recently been having issues with my starter. I turn the key and only hear a single click. With the lights on they dim slightly when key is turned. I am unable to view the starter to see how it is put together, in order to test and remove it. I have seen some starter diagnosis videos that show to test the ignition switch first with a probe. I cannot seem to find where this connects to the starter either.

Does anyone know if where the ignition connects to the starter on a peugeot 206c starter (or if) or does anyone have a good photo of the starter? I have googled it and the only pics are all showing the wheel side and not the side with all the connections.

Please feel free to offer any advice, as I am not a mechanic

[GrandadMonkey]

You tell us nothing about the age and mileage of your car, nor the model, engine size, auto or manual.

What I can say is that around 2004 / 2005 there was apparently a batch of starter motors which failed earlier than should be expected. (If you search the forum you'll find out all about it). If your battery if in fine fettle, and all the connections to and from it, including the earth lead, are good, then it is likely to be the starter motor itself.

My wife's uncle has had similar issues to yourself with his 04 plate 1.6 206 hatchback. He does short runs in the main and doesn't use the car a lot (he is nearly 80). Consequently the battery does not always get charged fully, and the occasional run to the local shops and back means that the starter is used more frequently (per distance covered) than one used for motorway runs. In the 8 years of the cars life, on one occasion it was the starter motor - replacement of that cured the problem. On two occasions it was the battery, which seems to have an average life of 4 years, I replaced it for him for the second time last autumn.

If it is the battery, it is usual to experience other electrical symptoms as well, such as spurious warning messages, and perhaps the clock needing resetting. If you are not getting any of that, and your connections are all good, then my money would be on the starter motor.

If you want to work on your car yourself then I would recommend that you invest in a workshop manual such as Haynes (ref. no. 4613) - about £15 off ebay sellers: motoringbooksofbookham. If a garage replaced your starter motor for you the cost should be around £150 or so. A battery you could do yourself I suppose, but make sure you buy the one for the 206cc and not the hatchback (they are different), and follow the instructions in your owner's manual. Strangely enough main dealers seem to be competitive on price for 206cc batteries, and you'll know you're getting the correct one.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

[brett_starter]

The car is an 05 206 1.6L hatch, manual, and I am in Australia. The car is second hand which I bought just over 3yrs ago, and so is out of dealer warranty. The clock has 110,000kms on it and is due for its major service.

I replaced the battery 6mths ago.

I have recently been getting 'spurious' warning messages like 'airbag fault', 'air pollution fault', but the airbag message stopped after awhile, and I assumed it was just the car going through a series of faults as the major service is due.

The vehicle has also been stalling sometimes when in motion and the clutch has been depressed. This is intermittent and in searching it looks like this is a common problem with no fix. The car also would not start for several turns of the key and then on the 8th turn the engine would start. This leads me to think that maybe that the fault may lie with the ignition cable?

I don't mind trying to fix things myself as it is a way I learn bits and pieces. I will have a look for one of those manuals you suggested. I downloaded a haynes manual for another (older) model but the images were sorely lacking. It is just such a pain that I cannot get a good look at the starter.

Do you know where the ignition might connect to the starter on this model of vehicle? All i can see (feel) is a large bolt (which is the main to the battery) and a small spade looking wire (which I assume is the earth). Touching the large bolt with a probe shows it has power getting to it when battery is hooked up

Cheers

[Capncol]

The small spade terminal is the "trigger wire" It has 12V+ applied to it when key turned to cranking position. This energizes the solonoid. Earth (neg) is through the engine block.