Your starter for five…

QWhen I turn on my Renault 5’s ignition, everything lights up as it should. When I turn it to the ‘start’ position, though, nothing happens at all. The dash lights stay on, but there’s not so much as a click. Any ideas?

George Smith, Dundalk

ACharge the battery or fit a good one. If there’s no change, check the following. Make sure the terminals are firmly attached at the ignition switch.

Use a stout wire to

‘jump’ the two wires carrying the main supply and the starter feed to bypass the switch.

Trace the wire from the switch all the way to the starter solenoid, looking for breaks, chafing or loose or dirty in-line connectors.

Is there a starter relay between the switch and solenoid? Can you feel it click as the switch is turned? If not, check its earth. Swap it for any standard 30 amp type if it stays silent or if you suspect the internal contacts are faulty. Use a stout wire to energise the starter solenoid (smallest terminal) from the battery. If it’s silent, change the solenoid.

Check the function of the starter by placing a large old screwdriver firmly across the two large terminals on the back of the solenoid (beware of sparking).

If it spins, the solenoid is faulty; if it doesn’t spin, the starter is faulty. Before condemning it, make sure it has a sound earth by placing a jump lead from the battery negative to a clean and shiny point on the engine, away from the fuel system. Also clean the two large screwterminal connections on the back of the solenoid. Replace them without grease or oil.