Not hot starting

[Vee8ight]

I have a problem with my starter. I initially thought it was an imobiliser problem, however I have power to the starter solenoid, it just doesn't start under certain warm conditions.
Do these starters suffer with sticking solenoids, or is it something else?

[ukkid35]

Voltage drop across immobiliser. After a year of irritation and annoyance I added a helper relay, starts instantly every time now.

[Cerbieherts]

I did the same, fitted a secondary relay cured it but the immobiliser is the culprit in my case too. It can't deliver enough amperage to start it. I'm replacing the immobilser at some point. Hopefully before it leaves me stranded!

[Vee8ight]

ukkid35 said:

Voltage drop across immobiliser. After a year of irritation and annoyance I added a helper relay, starts instantly every time now.

Is that when warm or cold too?

[Cerbieherts]

Hot. When the starter has suffered heat soak and needs most current to function...

[Vee8ight]

Cerbieherts said:

Hot. When the starter has suffered heat soak and needs most current to function...

Is that the line from the imobiliser to the solenoid? I take it you use the imobiliser to drive another relay, which powers the solenoid?
I'll get my diagrams out and see what's what!

[Cerbieherts]

Yes, get a high-amp relay and use it to drive the starter solenoid.
You will see pins marked 85, 86 ,87 and 30 on the base.
Use the solenoid feed to power 85 and ground pin 86. Then run a decent sized cable from battery + to pin 87 and pin 30 to the starter solenoid connection.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=4+pin+relay+diagr...

[ukkid35]

Vee8ight said:

Is that when warm or cold too?

Never a problem when cold. Here's where I fitted the relay, you can see that all leads were under 6" when fitted just above the 'big fuse'.

[Cerbieherts]

Nice beefy relay like this is perfect...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-Relay-12V-200...

[Boosted Cerb]

Immobiliser cuts the signal to the starter relay which is in the back. Power to the starter solenoid from the starter relay does not flow through the immobiliser.

Because starter relay is in the back, volt drop to the starter soleniod can be an issue if the solenoid is not tip top.

I too fitted an extra relay, first mod I ever did, 7 years ago!!

I fitted it in the passenger footwell and tapped into the engine loom wiring harness.

If you're feeling frisky, be worth planning to take the starter out and clean up/grease the solenoid.

Immobiliser are becoming a pain, but without changing something you'll never know which is the problem.

Rich.

Edited by Boosted Cerb on Tuesday 22 January 20:29

[Steve_T]

Hang on guys, you're only powering the coil on the starter solenoid not the starter itself. A 30A relay is more than enough for this and from what I remember the immobiliser is switching a relay, not doing this job directly anyway. I will check with Carl B next time I speak to him to be sure. I have been down this path and the extra relay didn't help me, it was the starter solenoid sticking.

[aide]

If it's the solenoid that needs to be replaced, I got my starter refurbed
here for 110.