Intermittent starting issue
Discussion
This is a bit of a pain in the arse really, I've got no idea where to start.
Essentially, at random times the car won't start, every time I've noted it it has been hot already, i.e. after a long journey and pulled up for a minute or two (unloading music gear or getting petrol etc). I'll turn the key and the dashboard lights will dim but nothing happens, it doesn't turn over, there is not a click of any sort. Just silence with the dashboard lights dimming (which as I understand it means that power is being drawn from the battery? Definitely not the immobiliser interfering as when that is armed the lights don't dim).
Asides from that, I've only got two things which might lead someone to an answer
Firstly, on one occasion I was in the garage on an unrelated matter when it did it. Mechanic asked me to turn the key all the way, so as to start it up (except obviously it wasn't starting). After maybe 10-20 seconds, just as he'd grabbed a testy thing for testing how much power the battery was giving out (I think, not exceptionally mechanically minded so forgive me on that!
) without me doing anything else, it started.
Second of all, it happened tonight and I was able to get it bump started absolutely fine.
There seems to be a vague correlation between use of electrics (headlights) and it happening; for example, tonight when it happened I was unloading music gear, so had the sidelights and hazards on. Every time that I can think of where it has happened, I have had the headlights or sidelights on while the engine was off (literally a minute or two, when left longer it's fine). However, apart from tonight it had probably been 3 weeks or so since it last did it. Before, it was doing it regularly and after a couple of tries would fire up as if nothing had happened, but tonight it just wouldn't. Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Funds are very tight at the moment so would rather find & fix the problem myself than just give it to the garage
Also, not sure if this is of relevance but occasionally when I turn it off it'll keep going briefly, spluttering and stalling to a stop rather than just cutting out.
Apologies if this hasn't made much sense, it has been an incredibly long day!
Essentially, at random times the car won't start, every time I've noted it it has been hot already, i.e. after a long journey and pulled up for a minute or two (unloading music gear or getting petrol etc). I'll turn the key and the dashboard lights will dim but nothing happens, it doesn't turn over, there is not a click of any sort. Just silence with the dashboard lights dimming (which as I understand it means that power is being drawn from the battery? Definitely not the immobiliser interfering as when that is armed the lights don't dim).
Asides from that, I've only got two things which might lead someone to an answer
Firstly, on one occasion I was in the garage on an unrelated matter when it did it. Mechanic asked me to turn the key all the way, so as to start it up (except obviously it wasn't starting). After maybe 10-20 seconds, just as he'd grabbed a testy thing for testing how much power the battery was giving out (I think, not exceptionally mechanically minded so forgive me on that!
) without me doing anything else, it started.Second of all, it happened tonight and I was able to get it bump started absolutely fine.
There seems to be a vague correlation between use of electrics (headlights) and it happening; for example, tonight when it happened I was unloading music gear, so had the sidelights and hazards on. Every time that I can think of where it has happened, I have had the headlights or sidelights on while the engine was off (literally a minute or two, when left longer it's fine). However, apart from tonight it had probably been 3 weeks or so since it last did it. Before, it was doing it regularly and after a couple of tries would fire up as if nothing had happened, but tonight it just wouldn't. Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Funds are very tight at the moment so would rather find & fix the problem myself than just give it to the garage
Also, not sure if this is of relevance but occasionally when I turn it off it'll keep going briefly, spluttering and stalling to a stop rather than just cutting out.
Apologies if this hasn't made much sense, it has been an incredibly long day!
Some possibilities.
Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
I have something similar. Engine will always start when cold with no problem but when it gets hot all I get is a click from the starter motor and no more, I have to turn the key 20-30 times for the engine to turn over, when it does turn over it will start with no bother.
I think it might be a sensor on its way out.
Engine is Subaru 96 sti
I think it might be a sensor on its way out.
Engine is Subaru 96 sti
VPower said:
Some possibilities.
Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
Regarding this, yes they do! But only in the first few minutes of the engine running. Someone else today said "sounds like it could be the alternator" but they didn't sound too sure.Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
Sorry should've said, car is a 1991 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 petrol.
You need to get a simple electrical multimeter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals.
First with engine off, then as you start and then as the engine is revving.
Should be above 12 volts before you start.
Should not drop below 10 volts as you crank.
Should rise to at least 13.4 volts as it charges.
Keep hands and clothing away from rotating bits!!
If below 12, and drops below 10, but rises up, then battery needs changing (or perhaps some distilled water)
If not charging and all the connections are OK, then a new alternator is probably needed.
If all above is OK, then starter motor may need attention if its only clicking when hot.
First with engine off, then as you start and then as the engine is revving.
Should be above 12 volts before you start.
Should not drop below 10 volts as you crank.
Should rise to at least 13.4 volts as it charges.
Keep hands and clothing away from rotating bits!!
If below 12, and drops below 10, but rises up, then battery needs changing (or perhaps some distilled water)
If not charging and all the connections are OK, then a new alternator is probably needed.
If all above is OK, then starter motor may need attention if its only clicking when hot.
Starter motor getting too hot from the engine? Another possibility, if it's wiring related the main lead from the starter to the battery might be wearing through causing a crap connection. If you'd said Escort I'd have said the earth lead that clips onto the front (meaning you need to put your hands between hot exhaust) but not sure whether GM had the same setup
Common problem on this engine. Same as the Ford Duratec.
Solution. Press the accelerator after you've turned off the ignition, but before the engine stops turning. That clears the burnt crap out of the cylinders, so you've fresh fuel when you go to start. It's to do with the EGR being a tart and filling the cylinders with exhaust gases.
Solution. Press the accelerator after you've turned off the ignition, but before the engine stops turning. That clears the burnt crap out of the cylinders, so you've fresh fuel when you go to start. It's to do with the EGR being a tart and filling the cylinders with exhaust gases.
HellDiver said:
Common problem on this engine. Same as the Ford Duratec.
Solution. Press the accelerator after you've turned off the ignition, but before the engine stops turning. That clears the burnt crap out of the cylinders, so you've fresh fuel when you go to start. It's to do with the EGR being a tart and filling the cylinders with exhaust gases.
The OP said that the engine wasn't even trying to turn though. Sounds to me like an earthing issue.Solution. Press the accelerator after you've turned off the ignition, but before the engine stops turning. That clears the burnt crap out of the cylinders, so you've fresh fuel when you go to start. It's to do with the EGR being a tart and filling the cylinders with exhaust gases.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff