1st Decent run of the year. Good & Bad !!

[teamrecon]

Just got back from my first decent run of the year. Did about 60+ miles on A & B roads, nothing too spirited though. Decided to stop off for something to eat and drink on way back home, about 1.5 hours in pub. Come to start the chim and fuel pump primed, but then nothing at all, except a noise from under the bonnet I have never heard before !

Tried to start it half a dozen times, kicked the tyres, but still no joy !! Went back into the pub for a coke and time to think things over (I Have recovery!). After about another 10 mins, went back and she started first times as usual

Drove home about 20 miles, went in the house got changed and went back out to try to start again, started first time. Any thoughts please..

Ps. Drove like a dream apart from the little hiccup..

[slideways]

Possibly a hot start issue, I had similar at a filling station turned out to be the battery terminal loose

[slideways]

Possibly a hot start issue, I had similar at a filling station turned out to be the battery terminal loose

[4Lmike]

slideways said:

Possibly a hot start issue, I had similar at a filling station turned out to be the battery terminal loose

After 1.5 hours of cooling down? I doubt it.

[BliarOut]

Was it a sort of tick or clunk every time you turned the key to engage the starter? If so that sounds like the classic stuck starter solenoid.

[teamrecon]

BliarOut said:

Was it a sort of tick or clunk every time you turned the key to engage the starter? If so that sounds like the classic stuck starter solenoid.

It was not a clunk, but a ticking sound after I had turned off the ignition. The solenoid I think is still the original, would have to check through the records to be sure.

[captaintact]

I'm having the same problem hot or cold. My starter motor was new less than 2K miles ago!

[WokingWedger]

teamrecon said:

It was not a clunk, but a ticking sound after I had turned off the ignition. The solenoid I think is still the original, would have to check through the records to be sure.

The fast ticking after you turn off the ignition is probably the stepper motor re setting itself. That is perfectly normal.

[teamrecon]

WokingWedger said:

The fast ticking after you turn off the ignition is probably the stepper motor re setting itself. That is perfectly normal.

Thanks for that valuable info. I think I will look at replacing the starter motor / solenoid, or carry on with the "russian roulette" starting, kind of fun

Any ideas on a good source ??

Thanks

Neil

[dog man]

If it happens again before you replace it you can try giving it a tap with something just to un-stick the solenoid. I guess you might need something longish and then bash that with Clarkson's favourite tool

[mgjc]

I sometimes have my 400 not starting hot or cold (more when its hot) and I have the hot start mod fitted.

Try holding the ignition key in the turn over position (ie when it kicks over the starter motor) for up to 45 seconds. sometimes it takes 10 seconds, sometimes 45, but it always fires up and away i go

[teamrecon]

dog man said:

If it happens again before you replace it you can try giving it a tap with something just to un-stick the solenoid. I guess you might need something longish and then bash that with Clarkson's favourite tool

I carry one in the boot already ! Just never really knew where to hit

[teamrecon]

mgjc said:

I sometimes have my 400 not starting hot or cold (more when its hot) and I have the hot start mod fitted.

Try holding the ignition key in the turn over position (ie when it kicks over the starter motor) for up to 45 seconds. sometimes it takes 10 seconds, sometimes 45, but it always fires up and away i go

Thanks for the info, I'll keep it in mind until I can replace.