VXR8 wont start? Any advice.....

[dealmaster]

Hi Everyone.
Im not too long into my VXR8 ownership and I've encountered the first issue.
Last week I drove round the corner to the paper shop. Jumped back in and the car would not start, it had that typical solenoid type "click" sound you associate with a flat battery (but just 1 click noise - not multiples) - just not quite enough juice to turn the car over (not even to get the starter motor turning). Sat in car for 20 mins just occasionally trying the ignition and wayhay it purred into life.

All fine again for 3 days then bugger me it's happened again. This time car is in my driveway and is refusing to start. Odd thing is Voltmeter gauge showing circa 12V when ignition is being turned.....

So - I buy a brand new Bosch Silver Battery (as spec'd by a few folk on here). It arrives today and Ive just been out to fit it. Still nothing! It's making the same Solenoid type "click" - just 1 click noise again.
Voltmeter shows same Voltage 12v...maybe a little more 12.3 perhaps.

Im a member of the AA so I might just have to call them tomorrow - but maybe I'm missing something really obvious here....has this happened to anyone else?

Cheers
Nick

[Pete G H]

Sounds like starter solenoid to me.
The AA guy should pick this up.

[nosubstitute]

I have had this happen with a previous car. Try putting it in gear and rocking it back and forth. Then try starting.

I can't explain it technically but the starter motor can sometimes end up in a position where it get's 'stuck'. Something electrical, kind of 'in limbo' where it won't turn over.

Could be worth a try.

[dealmaster]

Is that a simple fix the AA can do in the driveway or a tow and back to a garage affair? Problem I've got is I don't have home start with the AA - just breakdown and roadside with recovery so I might need to push the car a wee bit!

[dealmaster]

Thanks nosubstitute - mines an Auto though

[Pete G H]

The old way of getting around the problem if it caught you out was to give the starter a good tap with a hammer or steel bar if access was tight.

[dealmaster]

I could do that - but that seems a bit old school (thinking back to my 1983 Nova 1.3 SR).........

[Pete G H]

dealmaster said:

I could do that - but that seems a bit old school (thinking back to my 1983 Nova 1.3 SR).........

Starter's are pretty much the same now as they were then.

[nosubstitute]

dealmaster said:

Thanks nosubstitute - mines an Auto though

Hope you get it sorted cheaply.

[ringram]

Good luck swinging anything around the starter its located right up and under the exhaust. You would be lucky to get your hand near it at all.
New starters are about £150 or so.

[dealmaster]

Agreed. Just been out with th torch and hitting starter is a big no no.
So do you guys think it's a fooked starter motor?

[L2VXR]

dealmaster said:

mines an Auto though

could it be shifter related , as in the inhibitor switch .

[ringram]

I wouldnt have thought it would click if it was the inhibiter. Sounds like dodgy starter.

[dealmaster]

That's what I'm now starting to think. Where's the best place to buy a new starter from. Don't fancy being stung by the main stealer.

[ringram]

Locally check with MF or PWP.
I also get stuff from the US quite frequently as its often cheaper even with shipping and tax.
Though Parts World often have stuff like transmissions cheaper than the US or OZ! Not sure how.

[well_fans]

pretty sure monaro57 on here said its a fairly bog standard item - a mitsubishi part or similar that he had tracked down, could try pm him and see what he had to say or can perhaps source for you.

[L2VXR]

well_fans said:

pretty sure monaro57 on here said its a fairly bog standard item - a mitsubishi part or similar that he had tracked down, could try pm him and see what he had to say or can perhaps source for you.

this may be what he found, somebody posted it and i kept a link just in case.It was for a Monaro,not sure if it was ls1 or 2 but think they were the same. Is the ls3 the same?

www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=STR71225

[well_fans]

dealmaster just noticed realised you're in Edinburgh as is monaro57 (simon), get him on the case and he'll find the right part for you at a good price, he looks after the locals very well :-)

[dealmaster]

Briilliant tip - I'll pm Simon just now.

[MatrixXXx]

the most common problem is a bad contact/connection on the power cable from the battery to the starter motor solenoid or a bad earth to the frame from the engine block, I would get these checked first. I not sure about the RO but on the R8 once you turn the key the starting process is automatic.ie all you need to do is turn and release the key. as its an automatic function there may be some fault codes thrown up??
you need to take the cables off, clean the contact area and replace.even if its a firm connection there can be enough resistance to stop the 12v getting through.