My Peugeot 2.5TD has always started with no problem until yesterday when there was zero response when I turned the key. I turned it a few times and didn't even hear a click. Opening the bonnet, there was a cloud of acrid smoke. I took the starter out and found evidence of charred plastic around the thin red wire coming from the battery and some bits of melted solder in various places near the other connections.
I tested the starter and the solenoid with a spare battery. Neither worked, and I kept getting the sort of spark that suggested shorting. I checked continuity and found it between the main lead into the starter motor and the starter casing, and between the thin red wire terminal on the solenoid and the starter casing; but not between the two thick terminals on the solenoid and anywhere else.
I also tested the thin red wire coming from the van battery to the small spade shaped terminal that fits on the solenoid. This thin wire runs alongside the much thicker cable that attaches elsewhere on the solenoid. Both were >12v. I expected his for the thick cable, but I was anticipating having to turn the ignition key to get the thin red wire to show any voltage. There appears to be a relay at the battery end of these two red wires.
It seems the starter and solenoid are bust but what I'm wondering is whether the thin red wire from the battery should be showing 12v without the ignition key being turned. Surely, the voltage should come with the key turn?
I'm confused by all this and would welcome any suggestions or insights. I can't quite grasp what might have happened to cause such a calamitous result.
I tested the starter and the solenoid with a spare battery. Neither worked, and I kept getting the sort of spark that suggested shorting. I checked continuity and found it between the main lead into the starter motor and the starter casing, and between the thin red wire terminal on the solenoid and the starter casing; but not between the two thick terminals on the solenoid and anywhere else.
I also tested the thin red wire coming from the van battery to the small spade shaped terminal that fits on the solenoid. This thin wire runs alongside the much thicker cable that attaches elsewhere on the solenoid. Both were >12v. I expected his for the thick cable, but I was anticipating having to turn the ignition key to get the thin red wire to show any voltage. There appears to be a relay at the battery end of these two red wires.
It seems the starter and solenoid are bust but what I'm wondering is whether the thin red wire from the battery should be showing 12v without the ignition key being turned. Surely, the voltage should come with the key turn?
I'm confused by all this and would welcome any suggestions or insights. I can't quite grasp what might have happened to cause such a calamitous result.