New battery, won't restart when warm...

[GingaNinga]

Hi again,

Thanks for the help last week. A mate and I have now replaced my battery and my Chim 500 started first time. Drove it for some 50 mins, country lanes, M25 and M11 back into London. Stopped for a drink and it wouldn't restart.

Alarm and immobiliser are off, fuel pump kicks in, I then hear a click and nothing. Back out 10 mins later and it started first time. I think I am back to the starter motor problem, or does anyone know of these symptoms showing another problem?

[ATG]

(from other posts on this site, that sounds like the starter motor is on the way out)

[L10 TVR]

I would suggest checking that the battery connectors are working ok. Does everything else switch off when you try and start the car?

I would cover the battery connectors in copper grease, and make sure they are done up nice and tight. Then I would do the same on the battery wall conectors.

Good luck, I had the same problem in the past and this cured it.

[GingaNinga]

I was just wondering whether there was anything other than the starter motor as on one of the other posts I was asked whether it happened when the car was warm or from cold.

[craigalsop]

quote:
I was just wondering whether there was anything other than the starter motor as on one of the other posts I was asked whether it happened when the car was warm or from cold.

Sounds like classic starter-motor problems - they tend to do this when hot, if they are a bit marginal. You may be able to prolong it's life for a year or so by fitting an insulating blanket around it (something like the Thermo-Tec starter motor heatshield).
While you're at it, you could also put some thermal-wrap around the manifold headers, which will reduce the under-bonnet temperature a bit. You can get these from Demon Tweeks I believe - I got mine from USA.

cheers,
Craig

[douggreat]

After having spent a lot of time trying to look casual ahen my Chim refused to start, I had a new starter motor fitted, together with a heat shield, and all is now OK. I got the shield through an advert in on the Pistonheads at a cost of £25. Hopefully this has done the trick.

[alan_d]

Before splashing out on a new starter, just check the engine block is properly earthed by connecting a jump lead direct from the engine lifting eye to the negative terminal of the battery. Worked on my S when a dodgy earth got worse when the engine was hot.

[Griffithy]

Just arrived from a TVR meeting it seemed that all 500s suffered of refusing to start when hot.
Only way was to open the bonnet for dropping temperature in engine bay.

[wads]

When you have the fault, try putting a jump lead between the body of the starter motor and the negative terminal of the battery. If it starts, this will confirm a bad connection somewhere

[GingaNinga]

I spoke to Dave "The Garage" Batty (who has a Griff 500) and he said that it's common on the 500s and he's going to stick a different starter motor in for me in a couple of weeks. Now I know what the problem is I am using the car again (hopefully never stalling) as it can cool down whilst I am at work, or football, etc. I guess I need to fill it up with petrol first thing though ;o)

(Sorry to those of you who think I should be doing it myself but I'm starting out slowly!)

[jellison]

Is it the right Hi cranking power battery - needs alot to turn a large V8 when hot (or cold if not up to it - after a month or so - as I found out - now have proper hi cranker - Sorted).

[GingaNinga]

Yes, the battery is okay, it's been starting fine when cooled for the last three days now so I'll go with the new starter motor.

[cleg]

quote:
Just arrived from a TVR meeting it seemed that all 500s suffered of refusing to start when hot.
Only way was to open the bonnet for dropping temperature in engine bay.

Indeed we do have this prob

[david beer]

Try fitting a heat shield. It would do no harm. Even with a new starter you should still get one to prevent it in the future.

David