non starter

[highlandsaxo]

Hi all,
my wife has a 1.4 automatic, it's R reg. It normally starts on the first turn of the key. She parked it a couple of days ago, then went back an hour later to find it wont even turn over. i'm away from home, but friends tell me that its in Park, the lights, horn ect all work and no apparent loose wires. we live in the sticks so she needs a car. nyone any ideas?
Thanks in advance

[geraintthomas]

I had that on my old Fiesta, it could be the alternator that's failed. Ask someone else to confirm though :)

[highlandsaxo]

I had that on my old Fiesta, it could be the alternator that's failed. Ask someone else to confirm though :)

Cheers, i'll get that checked.

[deks36]

being auto its possibly the sensor that picks up which gear is selected if you have power but its failing to turn over its possible its this as if it thinks its in gear it will not allow you to start try it in neutral see if that works

[geraintthomas]

being auto its possibly the sensor that picks up which gear is selected if you have power but its failing to turn over its possible its this as if it thinks its in gear it will not allow you to start try it in neutral see if that works

Good point. Regarding the alternator though, you can get someone to test the battery for you as well. They can check the amount of power it's giving off (could indicate a faulty battery), or how much charge it's holding (which could indicate the alternator not doing its job). Might be worth a look into.

[highlandsaxo]

being auto its possibly the sensor that picks up which gear is selected if you have power but its failing to turn over its possible its this as if it thinks its in gear it will not allow you to start try it in neutral see if that works

This makes the most sense to me. Wife says she tried it in neutral and was the same, but if its a faulty sensor it may still think its in gear. I think i need to go down this line of thinking. Not home for over a week yet, so its difficult. cheers though,

[holdawayt]

Because it's been left for a day could the battery just be flat?

Give it a charge and try it before you pay anything.

[highlandsaxo]

Turns out its a goosed starter motor, but thanks for the suggestions!