Problem starting

[gannmaster]

Hi folks,

I've been having the odd problem starting my Chim over the last couple of months.. mostly the hot starting thing, but this has been remedied with a new starter motor.. but I have more recently also had the situation where when I turn the ignitition and plip the alarm button to disable the immobiliser and then turn to initiate the starter motor, apart from a whirring from the fuel pump, nothing happens. This is right from the off i.e. before it gets hot... In the past I have walked away for ten minutes (?) come back and it starts without a hitch but as of today after about an hour of walking away and coming back every ten minutes it just won't start at all....

It had a new coil about a year ago, along with new leads, but as it isn't even turning over there's no spark to test... The dash lights up and radio comes on etc. It's been used very regularly, so I believe that the battery is charged and OK.

Any suggestions as to where I should start...

>> Edited by gannmaster on Sunday 17th July 16:56

[TATTOODROB]

maybe your immobilisor is playing up or check leads to starter motor not come loose!!!!

[gannmaster]

Well, due to the miracle that is Pistonheads, simply posting on here has meant that at the next attempt the car started. I am still concerned however... as although it is intermittent, it seems to be getting worse and needs to be sorted.

[parrot of doom]

What kind of starter motor does it have? Mine is the smaller cheaper one, not pre-engaged, and sometimes doesn't like turning over.

[Big Al.]

Sounds like a typical 'hot start' problem.

A new starter motor may be required.

[gannmaster]

parrot of doom said:

What kind of starter motor does it have? Mine is the smaller cheaper one, not pre-engaged, and sometimes doesn't like turning over.

Well it had two new starter motors.. the first one packed up after a couple of weeks so that was changed for "a proper one" and has been fine ever since..

It isn't the starter motor, nor is it the hot starting thing as this is happening before it's been driven. It's just an intermittent refusal to react when I turn the key.. Guess I'll have to see what Dream Machines say tomorrow...

[parrot of doom]

Could be something as simple as a faulty ignition barrel.

[david beer]

Does the volt meter drop a little when turning the key ? Still could be a relay is needed, does not have to be just a "hot start cure". The system should have a relay anyway, in all cases, even if not happened yet.

[gannmaster]

I've found that if I turn the key as though to start it before disabling the immobiliser then it won't subsequently start...i.e. after then plipping the alarm... Even if I disable the immobiliser normally there is quite often a noticeable delay before anything happens...

[david beer]

Sorry to bang on about it, but try a £4 relay in the footwell, details on BBs web-site. Takes 10 mins to fit. When my start problem came back there was a 2 second delay before it would turn over.