Hi guys n gals! My 2003 peugeot 307 1.4 hdi has recently developed a strange intermittent starting fault.
Occasionally (more frequently at the moment), you put key in the ignition, first and second positions work as normal (dash lights, etc) but as soon as you push to third position...nothing!
Can bump start the car straight away so assume that rules out an immobiliser fault?
Tried looking for a starter relay but can't find one listed on autodata?

I'm thinking starter solenoid, does that sound right? Can anyone recommend an autospark who could repair?

Many thanks!

Get someone to hold the key over in the start position while you tap the solonoid, it may be sticky if so 9 out of 10 times it will then turn over telling you its a faulty starter solonoid.

Was going to try that today until I saw where the starter was! On the hdi (dv4td) it's on the back of the engine and needs air filter box or battery removed to access it.
Thanks for the suggestion though dilly, may try and see if I can access better if I have it up on some ramps

Could be the battery? Same was happening with a Focus I had. Turned out to be the battery not charging up enough.

Yeah I've replaced the battery, still having it

Okay, if it starts there's nothing wrong with the actual car, this limits it to the starting mechanism itself.
The immobiliser would seem to be okay (unless you have an aftermarket one tied into the starter).
As suggested above, try having someone hold the key in the start position then tap the solenoid (not easy on this model, but can be done with a long stick and a double jointed wrist), if it turns, you know what it is.
I'm more inclined to think that the black cap (on the ignition barrel) is failing though, it's making a contact for power but not to activate the starter.
Try taking off the steering cowl so you can see it, turn the ignition to ON then using a heavy gauge piece of wire (small piece will do) short out (for a second) the two thick cables running to the back of the ignition, if it turns over then you need to replace the cap (fairly easy job, normally a push fit connector one end and a grub screw to hold it into the ignition at the other).

Get in touch with Gibbo on here he is a Peugeot diagnostic engineer will probably look at it for nothing or at least give you some advice.

Yep that ^^^^^^

Also check engine earth strap,i had an identical fault recently and found if i put a jump lead from neg terminal on battery diectly onto engine block it started no prob.Traced the engine earth lead and it was perished.Really easy fix..

Some good replies on here guys. The 307 is occasionally known to have a starter failure, but this usually presents itself with a slow turn over. Peugeot recommended an uprated starter.

I'd suggest working through what's already been suggested. Replace the battery if its over 4 or 5 years old. If you can get a voltmeter check on it that would be good. Drop by Oxton and I'll check it over FOC.

If you PM me your last 8 digits of your VIN (chassis number) I'll get you the part numbers for the starter and solenoid so you can shop around. You can strip them down and refurb them, but its best to replace.

Pugs, Citorens and Fords all share several components and a starter listed for a Peugeot might be dearer than the same part listed for a Ford!

Whatever you do, do it soon and don't keep bumping it, Pug electronics don't like it!

Just had a look on Peugeot Servicebox for a 5 door 1.4 diesel - quite a few options on the starter, hence the need for the VIN as it will tell me what was fitted at the factory.

Hi guys
I've had a quick play, swapped the earth lead for a nice shiny new one, also replace the negative battery clamp as that was showing a bit of cable (it never used to!), new battery already fitted, so it can now either be starter solenoid or ignition switch, each I can't really test until the fault presents itself again.
As a matter of interest, whilst digging around I found that the cable to to the heater blower at some point had been replaced with a thinner diameter of cable and this had caused melting of the plug and cable (as you'd expect!) so I've replaced that whilst I was there so to speak!
Thanks again for the replies guys, will report back when fault shows again!

There are a few earth points to check, one is under the battery tray and to get the tray out you have to take off the front nearside wheel and wheel arch liner to get to just one bolt!

The heater blower is another common fault on the 307, see my pics on here:

http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/307-38/how-fix-broken-heater-blower-307-a-13429/

Mine doesn't look like that? There's a red and black wire that goes from behind the drivers side dash, behind the stereo and plugs into the side of the heater behind the glovebox?
Touch wood, fault is behaving at the min so thinking it was an earth fault!
Many thanks for the pointers peeps!

.....spoke to soon!

flux capacitor may need recharging?

Oh dear, give me a shout if you want a diagnostic check done. No fault find, no fee.

Ta gibbo!
Just at my mates garage to see if we can get to starter motor from underneath to tap it / see if we're getting power to it!
It's been fine for a couple of weeks and it's suddenly flared up again... So annoying!