Hi, I’ve replaced the starting motor on my fiesta but my car still won’t switch on. The connections have been checked as well as fuses etc. Any suggestions TIA

Is the battery voltage good?  Does the immobiliser light flash?

Hi Beth, couple of questions before I can give you some ideas of what might be wrong.

1) What was the reason that you replaced the Starter Motor ?

2) When you turn the ignition on now, does the normal dashboard lights come on ?

12 minutes ago, unofix said:

Hi Beth, couple of questions before I can give you some ideas of what might be wrong.

1) What was the reason that you replaced the Starter Motor ?

2) When you turn the ignition on now, does the normal dashboard lights come on ?

I replaced the starting motor as the car wouldn’t start before hand. My normal dashboard lights come on when the ignition is turned on. 

Thanks for the answers.

So it could be that there was nothing wrong with the Starter motor, and that you still have the original fault.

The problem could be with the 'starter relay' or the GEM unit or even the ignition switch. Is the situation different now to what it was with the old starter. For example the old starter did make a noise but just wouldn't turn the engine and the new starter does nothing. 

2 minutes ago, unofix said:

Thanks for the answers.

So it could be that there was nothing wrong with the Starter motor, and that you still have the original fault.

The problem could be with the 'starter relay' or the GEM unit or even the ignition switch. Is the situation different now to what it was with the old starter. For example the old starter did make a noise but just wouldn't turn the engine and the new starter does nothing. 

My other starting motor was no good, it’s making the exact same ‘whirl’ noise, the same noise when I turn the ignition on. 

1 minute ago, BPotter said:

My other starting motor was no good, it’s making the exact same ‘whirl’ noise, the same noise when I turn the ignition on. 

Just checking that I understand you. So the new starter motor is making the same 'whirl' noise as the old one ?

2 minutes ago, unofix said:

Just checking that I understand you. So the new starter motor is making the same 'whirl' noise as the old one ?

Yes

Ah Ha !!! 👍

Then you possibly have teeth missing off the Ring Gear.

Just as an experiment, with the ignition OFF put the car is 3rd gear and push it forward a couple of feet. Then take it back out of gear (remember the handbrake) and then try and start it.

1 minute ago, unofix said:

Ah Ha !!! 👍

Then you possibly have teeth missing off the Ring Gear.

Just as an experiment, with the ignition OFF put the car is 3rd gear and push it forward a couple of feet. Then take it back out of gear (remember the handbrake) and then try and start it.

It’s an automatic and we have tried that. No luck with the car. 

Automatic !!

That's a bit of a problem. From what you are describing the starter motor is not engaging with the ring gear. That would mean either teeth are missing or the ring gear is damaged in some other way.

When the starter motor was replaced, I assume that the starter solenoid (attached to the side of the starter) was also replaced at the same time. You need to disconnect and remove the new starter motor and inspect the ring gear which might just be visible through the hole that the starter motor normally fits.

Definitely possible but I haven't seen teeth come off a ring gear for many years.

I think the starter is spinning but there's just not enough power for the solenoid to throw it out.

Check the thick black earth cables between the car battery, the gearbox and the chassis. 

You can also add an extra earth by attaching a jump lead from a thick piece of metal on the engine to the battery negative post.  Then try to start it.

On 8/3/2023 at 5:01 PM, unofix said:

Automatic !!

That's a bit of a problem. From what you are describing the starter motor is not engaging with the ring gear. That would mean either teeth are missing or the ring gear is damaged in some other way.

When the starter motor was replaced, I assume that the starter solenoid (attached to the side of the starter) was also replaced at the same time. You need to disconnect and remove the new starter motor and inspect the ring gear which might just be visible through the hole that the starter motor normally fits.

There is no power getting to my solenoid - not clicking when trying to turn the car on. 

7 hours ago, BPotter said:

There is no power getting to my solenoid - not clicking when trying to turn the car on. 

Hi Beth, now you have me confused. I thought you said that the Starter Motor was ........

On 8/3/2023 at 4:44 PM, BPotter said:

it’s making the exact same ‘whirl’ noise,

What is the battery voltage at the moment ?

Whereabouts  in Tyne & Wear are you ?

Times like this when you want fresh eyes looking upon your problem on site, writing it doesn't help a great deal here, confusing to say the least, you know any other decent mechanics who can help you solve this, actually with your car.

I did have an Opel that the ‘ in gear’ starter inhibitor switch failed. Guess Fords have the same.

I currently have this issue with my car. Found that the issue is that the from the battery to the starter motor its dropping a volt and will either just make a whirring noise or nothing at all. 

Not sure if its the wiring loom or just a dying relay