Gah, didnt know whether to put this in the 2nd gen forum or here but this problem wouldn't just be 2nd gen related so i decided on here.

I just drove home from work, had a shower went to start the car to go to my gfs house and nothing happened.
Im turning the key and all im getting is a slight whistling noise from the engine, followed by a couple of quick clicks when i let go of the key and click from the passenger side dashboard, after fiddling for a while the car started, i turned it off and tried again and got the same problem except now i cannot get it started again, any ideas?

few clicks? could be the starter motor or a flat battery, my friends would just sit there clicking when it didnt have enough power to turn the engine over

I got the multimeter out and its on 12.5 volts, i just read in another thread that it could be the starter solenoid not engaging? could the slight whir im hearing be the starter working but not engaging?

I have a similar problem occasionally. Check your battery terminals for correct connection should be able to turn the starter but sound like it's not pulling enough current.

You may still have a stuff battery, while turning the key measure the battery voltage you will need two people for this. If the volt meter show nothing or under say 5 volt then you have a shorted cell in the battery :)

Does it sound like the starter motor is trying to kick the flywheel over? I had a similar thing happen to my car (not a Magna I know, but sounds like the same problem) Key turned over but I just got a whirring sound. The starter motor gears had stripped themselves.

I have a similar problem occasionally. Check your battery terminals for correct connection should be able to turn the starter but sound like it's not pulling enough current.

Could be this, i disconnected the battery yesterday and removed my sub power cable, and degreased the engine bay, it does sound like its not pulling enough to engage, the battery is charging overnight anyway,will clean the terminals and try again, will try the volt test too cheers.

Does it sound like the starter motor is trying to kick the flywheel over? I had a similar thing happen to my car (not a Magna I know, but sounds like the same problem) Key turned over but I just got a whirring sound. The starter motor gears had stripped themselves.

It sounds like this, turn the key, get a whirring while im holding the key, let go of the key and a few quick click noises then nothing. I have a spare starter motor for the car if it turns out to be it anyway i guess.

On a more sinister note, could this be a sympton of a seized engine? When the car did start it didn't sound like it normally does, sounded really tingy and metallicly kinda, or would the starter still make more noise trying to start a seized engine?

seized engine wouldnt start

Yay, turns out it was the starter motor, gave it a smack with a hammer while trying to start and got it to fire, only to have it not start again afterwards, at least i can drive it to the auto sparky to get my spare put in:D thanks guys

Yay, turns out it was the starter motor, gave it a smack with a hammer while trying to start and got it to fire, only to have it not start again afterwards, at least i can drive it to the auto sparky to get my spare put in:D thanks guys

Do the starter motor yourself man. It's literally 2 bolts. Just remember to disconnect the battery first.

Do the starter motor yourself man. It's literally 2 bolts. Just remember to disconnect the battery first.

Yeh could have done, couldnt be bothered putting it up on ramps to get it:P

Yeh could have done, couldnt be bothered putting it up on ramps to get it:P

Only really need to jack one side up. :P

Got it sorted then?

4cyl is a PITA I've heard? V6 you can do laying on the ground without ramps.
While it's all being taken apart, make sure the positive lead to the start has got a good clean connection (make sure they buff it back with emery paper) and I'd also do the same to the battery terminals. File the insides of the terminal out with a round file. if the termainals looks like they are on its last legs, get some new ones installed. $40~ish should see you with new HD terminals and installation.