Expert: Len Bailey - 2/5/2003

Question
I own a Citroen AX GT 3dr F reg (130,000m on the clock) When I turned my engine off it continued to turn over but not start until the battery died (after about 2-3 mins), so I tryed to jump start it but it just went click as if the starter was jammed.  I could not free the starter by use of hammer or rocking the car while in gear.  I had to tow start it, and after a good half an hour of driving it would not start again.  Is this just a dead starter or is there another problem lurking around the corner if I just replace the starter?

Answer
I am not familiar with this car but there are a couple of generic things to do. 1st, remove the starter and check to see if the gear is all the forward on the starter shaft. If it is replace or have it rebuilt, I recomend a new replacement. 2nd is if there is a seperate solonoid that activates the starter, like the Ford products use, see if there is any electric at the starter end of the solonoid when you turn on the ignition, if so replace the solonoid. My thought is that you had a soloinoid problem which messed up the starter. You probably have both of these problems. Before removing the starter, disconnect the negative side of the battery. Hope this helps, Len.
PS let me know what you find out.