starting problem

[s,one]

I have had intermittent starting problem with my car. Every now and again I jump in turn the key or press the start button and nothing I try it again two or three times and nothing, then for no reason the starter motor jumps into life and the engine fires.
All the lights are on the ignition ready but sometimes nothing. Plenty of battery power I think, well it seems to turn over quickly enough and it does fire promptly.
Any ideas seems like a poor connection somewhere.

Cheers

Steve

[alex s]

Starter motor solenoid on its way out possibly. Or just sticking..

[JLSELAN]

Or a failing starter relay.

[s,one]

Ok which one do I try first and is it an easy fix or engine out job as usual ?.

Cheers

steve

[Jim O.]

Both are fairly easy, and don't require the engine to be removed. The starter relay is near the battery - just trace the positive lead off the battery and it should go directly to the relay. The starter solenoid is on the starter itself. I don't know whether the solenoid is available separately, or if you have to replace the entire starter.

If the problem happens fairly often, check the voltage at the hot terminal on the starter. If there's no voltage when you push the start button, then the relay is bad. If there's voltage, but the starter doesn't turn over, then it's probably the starter solenoid.

Otherwise, I'd probably just go ahead and replace the starter relay - it's fairly inexpensive and easy to get to...

[gadgeroonie]

next time it happens, you have two options

1 put car in gear and rock it back and forth - then try again
2 hit the starter with a hammer - then try again

sometimes they need a good squirt of wd40

[s,one]

gadgeroonie said:

next time it happens, you have two options

1 put car in gear and rock it back and forth - then try again
2 hit the starter with a hammer - then try again

sometimes they need a good squirt of wd40

Now thats my kind of mechanics -how much wd and how hard with the hammer.

[noble1978]

Got stuck in town today at rush hour lunch time! Highly embarrasing. I'd parked and was picking up photos (back wynd hollowpockets). Went back to car and it wouldn't turn over, wouldn't even jump start! Eventually I got a push and bumped it. Got it all the way home and now it's dead again. I presume it's the relay unless anyone has a better idea?

[snuffy]

Could be the fuse near the rear bulkhead.

On the driver's side, look down towards the battery. Strapped to one of the metal struts is a row of 4 ( I think ) fuses. One is for the starter motor. If that has gone then it wont start even if you try and jump it. That's the place to check first.

[northnoble]

I blew that fuse taking the oil dipstick out...what a great design !!

As you said everything sounded right but it just wouldn't start until the fuse was replaced !!!!!

[noble1978]

just checked the fuse and its ok, thanks anyway

[Gadgeroonie]

is there charge in the battery ?

does it try to turn over ?

do the lights dim when you crank it ?

[noble1978]

There is plenty of charge in the battery, It doesn't try to crank and the lights don't dim. I presume it's the solenoid or wiring

[noble1978]

It was the starter motor itself. Brushes needed replacing. Working fine now. Replaced the brushes as I was quoted £232 for a new starter motor!

[hollowpockets]

noble1978 said:

It was the starter motor itself. Brushes needed replacing. Working fine now. Replaced the brushes as I was quoted £232 for a new starter motor!

Just come across this thread, glad its all sorted, Knockhill tomorrow? theres still spaces left... you know you want to

[BCA]

hollow, vids and pics please.

I am really really liking the idea of an M400 now.