car won't start!

[Budgie]

Ok her goes, so drove the car on Saturday went to park her away in the evening indicators and fuel gauge were not working, fiddled about with the fuses, [because I was waxing the bulk head around the fuse holder albeit very gently some hours before] gauge and indicators working ,locked the door. Got into the car today tried to start her and all I got was a click! Popped the bonnet fiddled with the fuses again , indicator's and gauge working , then not working , kept trying the starter, just a click every time. Checked the battery with my Lidel's gauge looks ok, tried to see if the battery was on it's way out by using a power pack, nothing! tried shorting the solenoid [as I had to buy a new one a few years ago], nothing , checked to see if the starter was jammed by putting it into 4th gear and rocking it, nothing still just a click, all electrics are working at this point although the fuses seem to be a bit temperamental in so much as poor contact and my brake lights don't work but this was a problem before this all started [could it be the brake light switch as I changed this a few years ago] as they have been not working for about a week but the car and everything else worked. Sorry it's a bit long winded but any ideas folks?

[bmcecosse]

Well - fuses are nothing to do with starting. so don't worry about them for now.... Poor battery connections? Take them off clean them and refit. Also - charge the battery.... Is it possible something was left on after the previous fuse fiddling? And - start it on the handle ?? That's what it's there for!

[mike.perry]

Have you got a starting handle? As long as you have enough battery to light the ign light then it should start on the handle

[Budgie]

Thanks for the replies, the starting handle was the next move but I've got a dodgy back at the best of times! I have what looks to be a good battery by the way the horn sounds and the lights being bright and a "good" indication on my Lidels battery tester for what that's worth but I know that's not always conducive of a battery with enough power to turn the engine .Could it be the starter motor? or should I be concentrating on the battery for now?

[bmcecosse]

Of course it could be - but I still say charge the battery and check the connections!

[Budgie]

ok will do thanks

[bmcecosse]

Does the engine turn over on the handle - even if you don't try to start it - just to check it's not seized...or in gear ????

[Budgie]

Just thought I'd update you folks , got down and dirty again today and found that the power cable to the starter was loose !! so a quick tweek on the nut was all it needed....well after I took the nut off ,placed a spring washer behind it and tightened the bugger up again!

[SteveClem]

That's my kind of electrics! Tighten everything up and if that fails find an expert.

[bmcecosse]

Well done...