280i starter motor.....

[mrzigazaga]

Hi peeps..Went out to start the wedge this morning as i havent been out in it for a few days..(Withdrawals)..Turned the key and there was a "dead zone"..Like a gap between turning the key and the starter turning..Then it started to turn.."Very slowly"..Also i could hear a bit of clicking going on in the engine bay..Sounded like every revolution of the engine there was a click?..Then it made the noise similar to when you "over start"..Like when it starts and you keep the key turned..The battery did seem a little low and it did eventually start when i gave it a jump from the booster pack...Now im contemplating a new or reconditioned starter..Or maybe it could be the selonoid?..Im thinking this only because of the past history of non-starting and maybe the starter motor has been hammered by all the previous constant key turning..Any suggestions helpful...Cheers..Ziga

[Jack Valiant]

Zig, if the car starts without any of the symptoms you mention when jump started it would seem to indicate that the starter and solenoid ere fine and that a new or properly charged battery is needed fella

Chris

[RCK974X]

I agree, suspect the battery first.

You can get them testing at the auto electricians, for CCA (cold Cranking Amps).

As your battery ages, it is unable to supply the juice to turn the starter, and the clicks etc aren't necessarily caused by a dodgy starter, but by lack of punch from the battery.

Batteries can drop off quite quickly too. Any battery older than about 4 years should be treated as suspect until tested.

Here in NZ, they stamp the terminals with year and month of purchase - I think that's worldwide, but not sure (letter for month, single digit for year). I tend to write the date on my batteries to keep track.

The 280s need a good 400 amps CCA, and the small footprint high power batteries are rarer now - I've got a Japanese pattern in mine - NS60 is the ref. It's longer than the standard footprint, but no wider, so fits well, and is 440 CCA I think. (350 wedges have a wider battery 'hole' for the bigger battery)

[mrzigazaga]

Thanks for that chaps..I did wonder about the battery...Its only about a year old but with all the problems i had last year of non-starting and charging up the battery i think it has become weak...The alternator charges correctly as i had that re-fitted with a new plug and tested..At the moment i have a cheapish 40amp battery as the compartment for the battery is very slim and im pretty restricted as regards to battery size...Unless i go for a red top racing battery but they are not cheap..I will see if i can locate one that you have suggested..Cheers...Ziga

[hallsie]

If its a year old then it might still be under warranty!

Take it back and ask them to test it!

See ya later

Stu

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..I think it had a 2 year warranty but i bought it off fleabay and i havent found the receipt..I normally keep them in a biscuit tin but think i might of eaten them as i woke up this morning and found a half empty cup of tea and some soggy paper..I now know for sure that i sleep walk!!..

[vampire222]

mrzigazaga said:

Thanks for that chaps..I did wonder about the battery...Its only about a year old but with all the problems i had last year of non-starting and charging up the battery i think it has become weak...The alternator charges correctly as i had that re-fitted with a new plug and tested..At the moment i have a cheapish 40amp battery as the compartment for the battery is very slim and im pretty restricted as regards to battery size...Unless i go for a red top racing battery but they are not cheap..I will see if i can locate one that you have suggested..Cheers...Ziga

You can usually get used Red/Yellowtops from Optima. Last one i bought was a Redtop for like 40 uk pounds equivalent. Things last for ever!

[mrzigazaga]

I wish they were mate!!.Slightly dearer than that im affraid....I will have to get saving..
http://www.optimabatteries.co.uk/en/7-red-top

[keatsie]

Zig - get a charge mate charger and leave it trickle charging.. its probably just the cold and lower than normal charge state.