2004 cc won't start!

[Jewels1985]

Hi all
This may well have been answered many times so apologies in advance. My cc has been having an issue with starting. First thing in the morning is fine however if I've been driving it, it won't restart. Makes a clicking sound. All electrics work. It could be anything from half hour to 2 hours before the car cools down and it decides it will start again. Real pain when doing the school run. A few people have said it could be the starter motor which I can get fitted pretty cheaply but as money is tight I would rather be as certain as I can tht it's the starter motor.
Any advice would be appreciated. Most garages round here will charge me jus to check it out!

[GrandadMonkey]

Julie,

You don't tell us much about your car. Engine size, manual or auto, mileage, service history, etc???

However 1.6 litre cars of your era can tend to have starter motor issues with the symptoms you describe.
A new starter motor is usually the answer.

The more information you give us the more chance we have of making an accurate diagnosis though.

Ron

[Jewels1985]

Sorry! Shows how little I know. It's a 1.6 with about 75k on the clock and its a manual. I have had it a year now and never had it serviced.thanks
Jewels

[GrandadMonkey]

Service regime is every 2 years or 20,000 miles but the computer may remind you. Next year at 10 years old the car will be due a major service including renewal of the timing belt, tensioners and water pump so prepare yourself for a big bill then - unless it has already been done (which I very much doubt).

Anyway, back to the immediate problem. I think your car needs a new starter motor from the symptoms described. That should cure it.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

But check the connections to the battery first. When people renew the battery they sometimes put the wrong one on the 206cc thinking that it is the same as the 206 hatchback. The 206cc is taller. Using the wrong battery puts a strain on the terminals and can break the contact intermittently. If the battery is the correct one and the terminals are secure then my money is on the starter motor as the culprit. It is a fairly common problem typical of a 2004 1.6.

[Jewels1985]

Thanks for your help. I'm selling the car in the summer tho I think as I can barely fit everyone in! When I bought it a year ago it had recently been fitted with a new battery. How do I go about checking connections to the battery? If it is to do with the battery would I still be having the same symptoms? Eg. Clicking when turning key, all other powers on etc?
Thanks

[GrandadMonkey]

If you had the correct battery fitted it will be the starter motor.

All other power on and clicking when turning the key, especially only when warm, points to the starter motor. Get a new one put on it.

I look forward to hearing from you that you've now cured it!