starter problem
Discussion
i started my esprit the other day and noticed that the starter was turning very slow before firing up.i reved the engine and tried it again and it was fine but then after a few more turns which were ok it was turning slow again like the battery was flat? i fitted a new battery about 3 months ago so i wouldnt expect it to be that? i took it out for about 30 minutes the voltage meter was showing about 16 amps but when i got back i switched off turned it on and it was fine but on the 2nd turn it was very slow again? has anyone any ideas? i dont want to take it out and then find i cant start it again? thanks
Battery failure of new battery does occur but it is very rare. Check to see the alternator is up to the job of keeping the battery charged to specifications. Have it checked at a garage or battery shop, have battery load tested also, Another thing is that the alternator is marginal and in the cold weather you maybe using a lot more electricals. Like the heater blower, wipers, head lights, fog lights, defroster, and stereo amp. When I use all of those things at once when my alternator was going out the battery was discharging greater then the ability to charge. Then the diodes gave way and the alternator was intermintantly discharging the battery.
Calvin 980 SE
Calvin 980 SE
i started my esprit the other day and noticed that the starter was turning very slow before firing up.i reved the engine and tried it again and it was fine but then after a few more turns which were ok it was turning slow again like the battery was flat? i fitted a new battery about 3 months ago so i wouldnt expect it to be that? i took it out for about 30 minutes the voltage meter was showing about 16 amps but when i got back i switched off turned it on and it was fine but on the 2nd turn it was very slow again? has anyone any ideas? i dont want to take it out and then find i cant start it again? thanks
Alan,
You put it on a voltimeter and got 16 amps? The battery should have in excess of 300-350 amps at the very least. I suspect that you mean volts, in which case I suspect there is a fault in the battery as the voltage should not exceed 14.5-15.0 volts. However, assuming that the battery is ok and your meter somewhat innacurate, I would suspect that you have an earth grounding problem in the ignition circuit which allows a lot of the juice from the battery drain to ground leaving little to turn the starter. Inspect and clean all your contacts, battery, solenoid and ground and see if this solves the problem. If not, there may be a fault in the solenoid. You may have a 'carbonized' crack or trail which allows power to arc to ground robbing your starter. Another possibility is the engine earth ground itself. If this is not making good contact, your starter will do some very funny things. When it ocurred on mine, the starter circuit and consequently the ignition key operated in a totally reverse manner - very weird indeed. Hope this helps...Jim '85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 20th December 20:32
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