Won't start, possibly starter motor

[Jayrich872001]

Bought my omega last weekend, went perfect for 2 days then developed a huge oil leak, oil all over the front of the engine and the plenum pipes, I popped out to get some oil and came out from the shop to find the alarm going off, unlocked the car and now when I turn the key all I get is a single click (I assume from the starter). Any ideas? TIA

[X30XE]

Assuming auto?  Could be selector switch on the transmission failing to contact properly. Try putting it in neutral rather than park. Put the handbrake on first tho

[Jayrich872001]

Yeah, sorry should have specified auto, I'll give it a go when I get back, pretty sure the recovery guy tried it but worth a try. Cheers.

[cam.in.head]

Went to look at a realy Nice omega in telford back end of last year.low mileage and a darker silver than star silver. £3000 from a trader. This wouldnt be the one you got would it ?

[Jayrich872001]

Still no start in park or neutral unfortunately. I'm assuming its the starter motor.

And no cam.in.head, mines gold. Not my personally choice of colour buy for what I want it for it was cheap enough to spend a bit of money on getting it how I want it.

[Nick W]

Bought my omega last weekend, went perfect for 2 days then developed a huge oil leak, oil all over the front of the engine and the plenum pipes, I popped out to get some oil and came out from the shop to find the alarm going off, unlocked the car and now when I turn the key all I get is a single click (I assume from the starter). Any ideas? TIA

Battery. Get it tested.
While you're at it, check that the click is from the starter, as assuming these things will lead to a trail of expensive work/new parts that don't fix an easy problem.

[minifreek]

Could also be worth disconnecting the Powersounder too, located under scuttle on N/S....

Battery does sound like its flat with the alarm going off and just a click, but its gone flat very quickly....

[Doctor Gollum]

Could also be worth disconnecting the Powersounder too, located under scuttle on O/S....

Battery does sound like its flat with the alarm going off and just a click, but its gone flat very quickly....

Fixed

[Kevin Wood]

Check the crimping of the large leads entering the battery terminals too. These get loose causing poor charging and the resistance also causes starting issues. The dead give-away is that they start to get warm.

There should be a grounding strap from the engine to the chassis and up to the battery negative terminal. It connects just under the air conditioning compressor. Check this is sound.

Try connecting a jump lead from another vehicle, negative to the lifting eye on the engine and positive to the battery + terminal. This will eliminate the battery and possibly the grounding strap.

Try connecting the smaller solenoid terminal on the starter directly to the battery +ve terminal WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN "N"! See if it turns over then. If that works, you have high resistance in the ignition switch or gearbox selector at a guess.

Starter motors are normally super reliable on the V6, so makes sense to check everything else thoroughly.

[johnnydog]

The starter motor was suspect a couple of years ago on a 3.2 I have. It had been stood for a few months. I eliminated any possible battery issues. It had your symptoms of a 'click' from the starter. Initially, it would start with a long piece of hard wood on the starter motor and giving it a tap with a lump hammer, but you need the help of a third party to turn the key.
However after a few days, it wouldn't start at all.
I changed the starter motor and it's been fine ever since.

[Jayrich872001]

Hi all thanks for the replies, the battery is fine, been tested and perfect. Got someone coming tomorrow to have a look at it. Hopefully be running for the weekend. Good news is iv found my oil leak and sorted hopefully

[Jayrich872001]

Just given the starter motor a whack while someone flicked the key, started getting a single click every time the key turned sometimes a second click, I'm assuming this is a good indication the starter is stuck??

[Doctor Gollum]

Usually points to a duff battery on the Omega...

For peace of mind carry out Kevin Woods excellent charging and alternator test and report back...

[Jayrich872001]

Check the crimping of the large leads entering the battery terminals too. These get loose causing poor charging and the resistance also causes starting issues. The dead give-away is that they start to get warm.

There should be a grounding strap from the engine to the chassis and up to the battery negative terminal. It connects just under the air conditioning compressor. Check this is sound.

Try connecting a jump lead from another vehicle, negative to the lifting eye on the engine and positive to the battery + terminal. This will eliminate the battery and possibly the grounding strap.

Try connecting the smaller solenoid terminal on the starter directly to the battery +ve terminal WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN "N"! See if it turns over then. If that works, you have high resistance in the ignition switch or gearbox selector at a guess.

Starter motors are normally super reliable on the V6, so makes sense to check everything else thoroughly.

______________
Kevin I have checked all the crimping, all looks OK, as for the ground strap on the battery I'm assuming it will be the orange wire. It all looks OK. The battery has been tested and is all fine. What would I use to connect the smaller solenoid terminal to the battery? Many thanks

[Doctor Gollum]

See my last... How has the battery been ruled out? Any way other than the method I suggested is generally inconclusive.