A note on a problem with starting

[bromlead]

Have found this forum very useful so thought I would post an item of possible note/use.
I had a problem today - car wouldn't start (1.5 DCi on a 54 plate) - all the electrics working, no warning lights, but when I hit "start" - nothing happened. Battery seemed fine, headlights Ok, etc, etc.
Hunted the web and the forum but no exact match, closest was a suggestion to check the starter solenoid
On doing so I discovered that the terminal of the earth cable had snapped in two - obviously had been stressed/bending and just failed (looks like copper).
So I went to Mill auto, bought an earth strap for £12.50 - had to transfer the megane battery terminal to the new strap but otherwise painless - fitted it and started first time
Would have cost me £60 for a tow to our nearest renault dealer, probably £50 for diagnostics and who knows what they would have come up with before finding the earth problem.
I'm happy and maybe it'll help you too?
Cheers.

[colbarnett]

Nice one, and it's a great feeling to know that you have saved yourself a small fortune in the process.

[davelowe]

Excellent! I do like the questions that arise, but a good honest and cheap solution is better - we all get to learn from it.

You may wish to copy / elaborate on your text into a separate post entitled something like: "How to: Repair the starter motor solenoid earth" and ask one of the moderators / site owners to sticky it.

Many people report starter problems (albeit indirectly) and the solution is often corrosion of the positive terminal (or in some cases it never gets resolved) - so it maybe the earthing.

If you have the time and inclination, a couple of photos always help.