Just bought a 2003 Clio petrol and it drove fine.

Done about 30 miles in around 4 different trips,went to go and start it earlier and nothing? Theres a ticking noise coming from the relays on the right hand side of the engine.Battery ok (Tried a jump) ive whacked the starter motor with ign turned.
Nothing..

Can anyone help please.

Conan

French car should of got a vauxhall

Could be a bad earth to the engine, try jump lead from the negative terminal on battery to the engine block, or could just be a knackered starter motor, ideally need to check if there's voltage going to the solenoid, whilst trying to start it

Thanks Chris,constructive post.

Ill try it thanks mate,think i need a mobile mechanic to look at it.

If you get stuck pm me, it's a possibility the battery also has a bad cell, try a multimeter across the terminals and report back on the voltage

Is there an earth lead from the gearbox to the body, check it`s connected and not corroded.

Thanks Chris will do,thanks Zipper

Happen to a friends car, he had welding done, so they disconnected the battery leads. They forgot about the second earth strap when they reconnected. Good luck.

It sounds like it is your starter motor, are your lights, horn, ext working if so you have good battery connections,you have already had jump leads on so it's not the battery.
Try getting someone to push start or tow start you if it starts that will pretty much confirm it is the starter.

Thanks mate,it wont go with a push or tow..

Hmmm..bit of a head scratcher this one..

I've got a 99 1.2 Clio (hate it) and the engine earth went on me recently stranding me in Preston, might be that.

Thanks everyone for your help.Twas indeed the engine earth,sorted now thank you again.