I can't start the engine when hot, it seems....

[panic]

...like if the starter doesn't work at all, then after about a few minutes, when the engine get cooler, it goes all right.

Is that the starter motor getting soaked by the heat?

Thanks for any advice and comments.

Giuseppe

[panic]

QBee said:

http://www.clarion-service.co.uk/cs/Hot_Start_Kit....

''....By putting back into the starter solenoid circuit a relay to supply the power, the dreaded hot start is cured. Even if you have never had the problem, it should be done !...''

Could you explain me what's what here, I don't get what does this part do as stated above the website in the link.

The problem I have as ''hot start'' seems like if the fan starts going the moment I switch the contact on and I think it sucks all the battery power cutting the power to the starter...

Infact if I wait sometime enough to cool the engine down, when I switch the contact the fans don't move and the battery power seems to go streight and used to start the engine.

Maybe I'm wrong but this seems to be the cause of the issue, am I wrong?

[panic]

QBee said:

panic,
if thew car is hot, the fans are running, and your battery is churning the engine slowly, but not starting it, then you need to have your battery tested - they only have a 5-6 year life.

if you turn the key and are greeted by silence when the car is hot, then you have some form of hot start problem.

When the car is hot and I turn the key the fans start running strongly but the starter doesn't move at all, silence.

The battery is brand new.

[panic]

Update, the starter does not engage any longer, engine was cool, battery well charged but you could ear only a grim silence when switch the key on....starter motor gone? An evil gremlin pulling its leg to waste my sunny weekend?

[panic]

EGB said:

Hope the fuel pump can be heared having its prime.

Silent.

[panic]

QBee said:

To summarise the last two posts:

If you don't hear the fuel pump prime, then it is most likely the immobiliser.
If you do hear it prime, then candidates are:
Starter solenoid, ignition switch, starter motor, 80 amp fuse, bad earth and anything I haven't remembered

The fuel pump stay silent, it's the same as if you try to strat the engine without putting the small thing into the hole under the switch to disingage the immobilizer, I think that is the cause....

But how come it worked until a couple of days ago? I had the problem only when the engine was hot...

[panic]

ukdj said:

Have you tried the "thump the passenger dash underside while turning the key" method which helps prove if it's the immobiliser getting stuck?

UKDJ

Nop, I don't even know where to thump...
I'd really like to bypass the whole immobilizer thing...