Hi, went out to start the motor last night and it done nothing other than clicked. Tried it 4 times and nothing. Used the spare key and it started first time no issues?? 
unsure why it would go with the spare but my initial thought was the starter motor. Checked battery voltage which was 12.3v, the battery is new by the way. 
The car has done 87k now. The only issue I’ve had is the tyre sensor warning. Is there anything I can check or do as it the car has started as normal today with the original key!

cheers

Intermittent starting is usually a sign of failing starter motor, but just try to use your spare key for a while, if it continues to work reliably then your looking more at a failing transponder chip in the key (but that's very unlikely as the immobiliser wouldn't cause the starter motor to click). My old focus that I sold my dad started doing this a few months ago and eventually just wouldn't start. It was the starter motor.

On 11/18/2025 at 3:03 PM, Macka09 said:

voltage which was 12.3v, the battery is new by the way. 

Your battery State Of Charge (SOC) is getting a little low. You need to give that an overnight charge before it drops much further.

Thanks for the replies. 
I can’t understand why the battery would be low as it’s only 3 months old. 
The starting issue has been playing up today. I have been using the normal key fob and not the spare. I think 4 separates occasions today it’s not wanted to go. 
is it a big/expensive job?
 

43 minutes ago, Macka09 said:

is it a big/expensive job?

Did you heed my warning and charge the battery like I said last Wednesday ?

Have you used a multimeter and measured the battery voltage after the car has stood overnight ?

On 11/19/2025 at 1:58 PM, Neb_engineer said:

Intermittent starting is usually a sign of failing starter motor, but just try to use your spare key for a while, if it continues to work reliably then your looking more at a failing transponder chip in the key (but that's very unlikely as the immobiliser wouldn't cause the starter motor to click). My old focus that I sold my dad started doing this a few months ago and eventually just wouldn't start. It was the starter motor.

I used to carry a hammer in my Mk5 Cortina for when the starter needed "encouragement".  I'm not suggesting that you use that method on a modern car, even if you could reach the starter...

6 minutes ago, PaterAnt said:

I'm not suggesting that you use that method on a modern car, even if you could reach the starter...

You need one of these for a 2013+ car 🤣

thats the hammer i used on my vauxhall astra few years ago 😄 

seriously though, the hammer trick did work for me too.

1 hour ago, unofix said:

Did you heed my warning and charge the battery like I said last Wednesday ?

Have you used a multimeter and measured the battery voltage after the car has stood overnight ?

Hi mate

yes I did trickle charge it overnight on the weekend. 
 

I will take a reading first thing in the morning. 
 

Are there any other things I could check? I can’t even see the starter from above the engine bay. 

So I’ve checked the battery voltage this morning before trying to start it and it was sat at 12.1v. When starting it, it dropped to 10v and quickly went back to 12.2v? Should I be looking to return the battery as it’s only a few months old?

What’s with the sad face @unofix? Am I looking at an alternator issue??

Just a quick update. After having a tweak of the electrical connector I could reach on the alternator, these are my readings. 
battery volts 14.2v. Under full load 14.4v. 
When I checked for a ground leak from the body of the alternator to the battery neg I had no voltage reading. When I checked the alternator output cable to the neg on the battery I have 14.6v. 
Could the issue have been a loose wire/connector or am I being too hopeful? Cheers 

Alternator appears to be working. 14.2~14.6v is ok.

Your battery needs charging. 12.1v is about 50% charge. If the battery has sat at 12.1v for a while it might be permanently damaged. Put it on a smart charger for 12 hours and then check the voltage again the next morning.

Quick update folks. 
I’ve fully charged the battery it’s sat at 12.7v this morning. Unfortunately it just won’t turn over. Any ideas?

It’s hard to even identify the starter from above. 🤯

1 hour ago, Macka09 said:

Quick update folks. 
I’ve fully charged the battery it’s sat at 12.7v this morning. Unfortunately it just won’t turn over. Any ideas?

It’s hard to even identify the starter from above. 🤯

The starter is behind the engine.  You won't see it from above.

Oh ok. I thought I’d seen a schematic of the engine bay with the starter at the front but near the bottom under the alternator?

15 minutes ago, Macka09 said:

Oh ok. I thought I’d seen a schematic of the engine bay with the starter at the front but near the bottom under the alternator?

The alternator is the wrong end of the engine.  The starter has to be at the gearbox end, not the belt end.

The starter is on the front on some engines.  But not 1.5 TDCI as far as I'm aware.

It’s under the battery tray 🫣🫣

I think it’s the solenoid not engaging. Can that be replaced or is it the whole motor that will have to go?

19 minutes ago, Macka09 said:

It’s under the battery tray 🫣🫣

I think it’s the solenoid not engaging. Can that be replaced or is it the whole motor that will have to go?

Technically the solenoid can be replaced.  But you'll probably struggle to find a suitable replacement to buy.

Far quicker, and the same price to replace the whole Starter motor and solenoid.

 Approximately £70

It’s cost me £345 😳😳

£70 was for a brand new Starter and solenoid, it did not include fitting it.

This starter was £190 and 1hr and half labour. 

31 minutes ago, Macka09 said:

This starter was £190

Ah!!!

You got the solid gold, with jewel bearings Starter, it should run like a Swiss watch.

If it lasts as long as the original you should be good to 'go' for the next 9 years 😉

I ***** hope it does. I may have to change it myself next time at that price.