It won't start.....Help !!

[Jitzz]

Hi All,

I need your collective expertise, my 1996 4.2 has tonight developed an intermittent starting problem.

I've been driving her regularly over the past few weeks and she's been fine, but took her out tonight to get a chinese

when I came out she just wouldn't crank over, nothing, no sound not even a clicking when you press the start button (lights on the dash were all fine).

So I decided to call the AA and wait in the take away shop, anyway about 20 mins later I went back to her and tried just for the hell of it and she bust into life !!

At the same time the AA turned up, which was quite embarrasing, so I apologised to him, started it a couple of times just to make sure alls well - which it was, so he went on his way.

Went to the petrol station on the way home and she did it again, so I waited 10 mins and eventually she fired up.

Does anyone know what this might be, or have experienced anything similar, maybe a loose wire or connection. I can't have this happening regularly as I usually have my little girl with me.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks for your help

Dinner went cold by the way !!

Regards

Jitzz

[mybrainhurts]

Ignition switch on the blink..?

Immobiliser on the blink..?

Loose connection on the starter motor..?

She's punishing you for buying a Chinese...?

[SimonSparrow]

mybrainhurts said:

Ignition switch on the blink..?

Immobiliser on the blink..?

Loose connection on the starter motor..?

She's punishing you for buying a Chinese...?

Could be any of the above, but do a search on the immobiliser/starter angle. A few of us have experienced some degree of problem with this ;-)

[SimonKD]

Hi Jitzz

When She doesn't start have you tried holding your finger on the black start button for longer periods of time. I've heard of some people reaching 30 seconds and above in some cases before the starter motor springs into life.

Regards
Simon

[RUSSELLM]

immobiliser

[marcus1970]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...


Plenty of info in here...

MB

Edited by marcus1970 on Tuesday 8th January 13:04

[m16kcy]

same thing happend to me a while ago and it was loose connections on a really that feeds the starter solenoid mines a 4.2 and could reach it from under the bonnet with the pannel infront of the windscreen off, be worth a look cause it was a easy fix,

[Jitzz]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the (speedy!) responses guys.

I will have a root around the starter motor area and check for loose connections, thanks for the link to the thread Marcus that was really useful.

Strange thing is though she's been fine all day, went to work, out with her at lunchtime and a few stops on the way home too....all with no starting issues

Still, I need to check this weekend. I intend to go to the Pistonheads show at the NEC this Saturday, so will have to sort this out on Sunday....is anyone else going from here ????

Regards

Jitzz

[cerbieboy]

i would suggest the old immobiliser syndrome

[optimax sniffer]

Could be that the starter is bunged up inside and needs a bit of TLC. Degrease and re-lube. Mine does it occasionally but still haven't got round to doing it.

[Columbo]

if it is the ignition unit on the tank and not the imobiliser, you can get a piece of wire about 6 inches long, now pull the ignition control unit from the left hand side of the tank, with the writing side up (i think! could be the other way) with the plug still in, on the top of the plug you can see the tiny spade conectors took the wire on one end into the top left on the ignition unit and then touch the one below it untill it starts. as soon as it starts disconnect it as it will burn the starter.

this requires 2 people, and do this once the second person has turned on the ignition and dis-engaged the imobiliser as you would normally start it and then press the black start button the touch the wires.

Hope this helps!

Ryan