Starting confusions

[Darling]

Morning all,
am new to the site and what a site! but having owned my 98 Chimaera for a little over 6 montha I am beginning to relise why, then again that's half the fun I suppose.
Wonder if anyone can shed some light on this one, starter problems do not seem to be following any set patterns,
Sometimes she fires up fine but more and more won't.
I can hear the solenoid clicking but starter not engaging but will after 4 or 5 times and fires up fine.
Next,after driving and trying to re=start I am not even hearing the clicking from the solenoid and have had to bump start twice now. At first I thought this must be hot start problems but now this has started happening even when cold, have tried tapping the starter etc to no avail and then from no help on my part she starts up again.
Could this be just bad contacts or is it starter replacement time?,

[Ozstyle]

Hi,
I had exactly the same symptoms on my S2, a good wack with a jack handle would fix it until next time. Eventually replaced the starter motor and problem gone. May be worth just checking all connections to the starter are tight and clean though.

[bigdods]

I have had the same problem for a while, used to start second try but yesterday took several minutes and about 15+ 'clicks' before it finally started. In my case I am certain its the starter on its last legs - I think the last straw was when my otter went a few weeks back and she overheated. Seems to have finally done it in.

After swearing at it yesterday I decided its time to fix it so will be on the phone to the indies on tuesday.

From looking at the bible its a short job for a garage to replace maybe 30mins to an hour tops. Brand new starter motor is £133.94 inc vat and delivery, but I am hoping if I shop around I can get this under £100.

[Paul (93 Chim)]

It sounds like you're solinoid is on its way out or gone, the starter motor will not turn until the gear is fully engaged, due to the heat from the exhaust manifold the solinoid becomes slow to move and then eventually stops altogether.

I replaced my starter a few years ago with one from a 4x4 shop online. They are the same as the Classic V8 Range Rover It cost around £70.

It's a sod to fit yourself though.

Paul.

[bigdods]

Just ordered mine online, I reckon this is a job for my local garage no need to pay specialist TVR rates. Have to give them a ring on tuesday.

[Darling]

Many thanks for the replies, agree does look very difficult to get to without a pit or lift, never thought about going to a 4x4 supplier, how do you know if you have a Bosch or Lucas though? Is it best to just let the local garage to do the whole job?

[Flintstone]

[quote=Paul (93 Chim)]It's a sod to fit yourself though.
[/quote]


Not really. Just get the car up high enough to give yourself room to work and use sockets/ratchet/extension bars. Done mine before and I'm not particularly knowledgable.

Or patient

[David Beer]

Try a relay back into the circuit first,TVR deleted it from the Range Rover wiring and any non engaging solenoid case should try the relay first. It doesnt have to be only when hot, when cold,if can occur at any temp, just poor voltage supply. Loads of free info of how to fit it.

[bigdods]

David - are you still selling the hot start kits ? I read somewhere that modwise was offline ? perhaps I misread ? I think I need one !

[theaxe]

Here's the fitting info for the hot-start kit.

[bigdods]

theaxe said:

Here's the fitting info for the hot-start kit.

Thanks - seen that already, but it assumes that the kit is still available to buy. I recall reading a thread a few weeks back about these not being available from mod-wise any more. I will be calling them on tuesday to see if I can order one.

[dickbastardly]

hi darling!!
i had the same problem with my starter about 2 months ago, had to replace it. Been fine ever since.
try fle-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-RANGE-ROVER-TVR-3-9-4-0...
i think it cost my something like £65 delivered, took about 1/2 hour to fit, all good.
Hope this helps.
Andy

[sapper]

Hi, they are still available, I ordered one last week, it arrived 2 days later and I fitted it pretty easily.

[bigdods]

result ! Hot start kit ordered , maybe I can send back that starter motor if this works :-)

[Darling]

Many thanks for all the replies, lots of good stuff to look into, will let you know how it goes, my usual method is to remove all the cash from my wallet by replacing the most expensive part first and working backwards, {usually to find it was a bad earth all along} Feel more confident to check the more simple explanations first now. Cheers.

[bigdods]

Good news and bad news. Fitted the hot start it, it really did only take 15 minutes and I was being careful ! And its fixed the hot start problem, she now turns over and starts when hot. Result !

Even if you dont yet have the hot start problem you probably will in the future and this is so easy to do, what are you waiting for ? do it NOW !

The bad news - the starter really is goosed, even though she now starts when hot I still get the loud click then nothing when she's cold (and hot) , but things have improved she was taking up to 10 clicks before she would eventually start, with the kit in place shes doing 3 or 4 clicks.

New starter sitting on the dining room table to be fitted next week !

[dickbastardly]

Thats good news Bigdods.
go on fit the starter! you know you want to!! it only takes about 1/2 an hour!
i found when i first removed the starter and checked it (as much as i could) it worked better for a while then it got bad again!
just a tip! i am sure you would anyway but do disconnect the battery when changing the starter! the first time i took it off i didnt and when the spanner touched the engine it sparked and i didnt get a shock but it made me jump, and there is not alot of room to jump under the car!!
good luck
Andy

[Flintstone]

dickbastardly said:

the spanner touched the engine it sparked and i didnt get a shock but it made me jump

Hehe. Bloody scary when that happens, eh?

As a rule I now remove my watch and wedding ring when working on the car. I know it's 'only' 12v but I can do without the excitement.