Non-starting

My friend has a 2002 Honda Civic 1.6. Last week it suddenly wouldn’t start. Prior to this the car started and drove normally and had no problems. When you first turn on the ignition key all the ignition lights go on as normal, but when you turn the key to start it makes no sound, not even a click, and there is no turning of the starter motor. All the power features work and the battery is holding a full charge. There are no warning lights indicating a fault and the car can now only be bump-started, although it drives perfectly afterwards. Could the problem be be a faulty starter motor or a bad earth connection?

Also, can you tell me how to recode the key-fob on a Peugeot 207? I renewed the battery and the key-fob hasn’t worked since. I think I was too slow to replace the battery and now it needs recoding. Colin Askew

With the Civic, the problem may be either a faulty starter motor or a broken engine earth. The possibility of a broken engine earth is easily tested by using a jump cable between the battery’s negative terminal and the engine. If the starter will operate after connecting the cable between the negative terminal and the engine this will confirms that a new engine earth cable is needed. If it makes no difference, the most likely problem is the starter motor. This can be checked with a test light or voltmeter. Place one terminal of the test light or voltmeter to earth, then the other to the main feed terminal of the starter. This should be battery voltage and will illuminate the bulb or display battery voltage on the meter. Next, with one terminal still on earth, place the other terminal to the small feed on the starter solenoid and turn the ignition to the start position – the lamp or meter should now indicate battery voltage. If it does, this confirms a starter fault. If no feed is present, the problem may be an ignition switch or loom fault and further testing in this area will be needed. According to Autodata, the starter has a relay fitted and this is at position number 1 in the interior fusebox.

The key-fob for your Peugeot can be resynchronised as follows: using the key that needs recoding, switch on the ignition. Press and hold the lock button on the key for around 10 seconds, then switch off the ignition and remove the key. The remote fob should now work and can be tested by locking and unlocking the vehicle.