Back to the electrical drawing board - not the starter...

[PaulyV]

THanks to everyone that helped last time.

To recap - my car (318 M40) appears to have been shunted or pushed in gear from behind. The upshot is a dent to the rear and nothing when I turn the key.

When turning ignition I get all the dash lights (headlights work also). Turning the ignition I occasionally get a fairly loud metalic click from the engine bay, but usually nothing.

I have shorted diagnostic pins 11 and 14 and the same occurs, although this is accompanied by a clicking in the black plastic area under the windscreen in the engine bay which I do not get when turning the key. Again, occasionally I get that metallic click when shorting but more often than not I get nothing.

I have changed the starter motor today (thanks for the guide - it was straightforward) but the same occurs. The car does have a Scorpion alarm fitted which has not previously caused issues.

So, presently I am fresh out of ideas. Can anyone chime in with a list of things to try?

Thanks so much.

Pauly

[psychochild187]

is it a big hit/dent?
does the alarm seam to be operating normaly?

[PaulyV]

Not so large a dent - the car appears to have been pushed rather than hit. The alarm seems fine.

[psychochild187]

how good is your battery ,
do you have a multi meter to test the voltage .

[PaulyV]

I am recharging the battery, however I should add that the AA guy who came out tested it with his charger battery and the same occurred.

I guess there is a slim chance his was at fault too, but it's a slim chance.

[PaulyV]

Charged the battery - still nothing...and discovered something to make me think this is far more serious.

I know the car was shunted or pushed from behind whilst in gear. When parked I did think the gears felt 'different'. I just noticed that the gearstick won't stay in 3rd on its own (the gearstick immediately slips back to neutral) and barely stays in 5th and first which feel far 'shorter' than previous to the accident, if that makes sense....sigh.