Help- Starter Problem

[mrt1040]

Hi All,

Just fitted a Hot Start kit to a 5.0l Chimaera, it start the first couple of times. Let it run for maybe 5 mins then turned it off. Went to start it again it turned over and started, but whilsts it was turning over it sounded like the starter motor was making a clicking type noise. Now it won't start.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Mark

[Cider Andy]

Did you have problems with it prior to fitting the 'hot start' kit?

Now you say it doesn't start but makes a clicking noise from the starter motor: does the starter motor turn but the engine won't fire? Or does the starter motor not turn? Or what?

[mrt1040]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

It made the clicking noise whilst starting for the last time, the starter doesn't make a noise at all now.

Before fitting the hot start kit it would occasionally not start when it got hot.

[Ed450]

Have you double checked your hot-start wiring (especially for loose/intermitent connections)?. Also, check the state of the battery.

[mrt1040]

I've checked all the hot start wiring, that all seems to be fine.

I'm going to try and get under the car and check the 100a fuse, has anyone had that go after fitting the kit?

Does anyone know what the Hot start kit does, that might help me narrow down
looking for the problem.

[Cider Andy]

The existing feed to the solenoid from the ignition switch can suffer from a voltage drop, to the point that there is insufficient voltage to operate the solenoid. The 'hot start' kit uses this feed to operate just a relay, the relay then switches a dedicated supply to the solenoid: the voltage drop is eliminated.

If you were hearing a click before, that would indicate the solenoid is operating, but the starter motor isn't. This could be a low battery (enough power to operate the solenoid but not the starter motor) or a faulty starter motor. As you now hear no click, I would suspect the battery first.

[m4rk]

Reading your thread carefully it is seems to say that you head a new clicking noise whilstthe starting motor was turning over. Is this correct?

[penno]

Just one thing to note about the so called hot start problem.
My 98 chim had this problem earlier this year and all I did to fix the problem was to change the connector on the solinoid feed from the ignition. Hey pesto hot start as completely dissappeared without the need for the kit. The problem is electrical connectors TVR use are not that good I know this because my father designs electrical wiring looms he spotted the connect type straight away (its a common thing in the industry). So I guess if you have the hot start problem and have install the kit and still having problems then I would change the connector on the solinoid. I used a good quality one crimped and soldered the connection and added heat srink to keep it water out.

[theaxe]

mrt1040 said:

I'm going to try and get under the car and check the 100a fuse, has anyone had that go after fitting the kit?

Does anyone know what the Hot start kit does, that might help me narrow down
looking for the problem.

The 100amp fuse sits between the altenator and the battery and as such won't be related to starting problems (unless your battery is flat as a result).

Usually power to the starter motor comes straight from the ignition switch. The hot-start kit makes ignition switch engage a relay which directs power to the starter straight from the battery (via a much 'heavier' wire).

[david beer]

A clicking starter usually signs of poor battery voltage. When starting the car, so much is taken out of the battery, five minutes of tick over will not put "back in" what you have just taken out ! How old is the battery ?