STARTING PROBLEM

[crazymatelot]

Hi guys, once again I have to turn to the collective experience for advice. As you know I have only had the Cerby 4.2 for about a month now. During the first couple of weeks it would start nice and easy on the second turn of the starter motor. Now however, it takes forever, and today, it only started, albeit lumpily after I stabbed the throttle pedal with my foot. Once she is up and running, all is okay, I have just come back from a 20-25 mile run and she performed very well. I am not running her every day, in fact this is only the second time I have had her out in the last 10 days, I suspect that she may need to be run much more often, can anyone think of anything else that might be affecting starting? I should add that at the mo, I can't use the diagnostics, cos I can't get it to work on my laptop with a USB interface, so I have ordered an extra long RS232 cable which I am still waiting for.

[betty_swallocks]

Your battery is losing some power whilst not being used, If I leave mine for a week its touch and go whether it has enough charge left to start it even though the engine turns over ok

Next time try jump starting with one of those battery packs, It will start straight away

Hope this helps

Betty

[Byker28i]

Stick a battery optimiser on it if leaving it longer than a few days as the alarm system etc discharges the battery.

[crazymatelot]

Thanks for the advice folks.

[InverCerb]

I believe it's fairly normal to give a healthy stab of the throttle on start-up anyway, certainly mine needs it, otherwise instead of sparking up instantly, it cranks over for ages. Plus, it sometimes gives a wonderful crack when the engines fires up

[jonbarrett]

I always need to give the throttle a push to start. Without touching the throttle it would never fire.

[C3BER]

Maybe just maybe your alternator is a bit iffy. Mines just melted due to the belt packing up but holding on by a thread or two.

[Mr M]

just as a control.. I also have a 4.2 that's used for recreation only and sometimes goes for a week without use. Not had any starting problems. Perhaps there's quite alot of moisture in the air where you store it ? Just a thought.

[crazymatelot]

Thanks to you all for your replies/suggestions. I bought a battery charger/conditioner and connected it via the cigar lighter. Lo and behold she starts up just as she did when I got her. I just press the start button and she fires up on the second turn of the starter motor, no need to press the throttle.