Please help non starter

[tommy18]

Hi guys
I set off for le mans this morning, whilst pulling into Dover a nice man diverted me into customs. I shut the engine off, when tried to restart I have just a click.
I got a push start and I'm on the ferry, maybe it will cool and start, but maybe not.
Could you please tell me where the starters located and any advice for fix?
Thanks so much in advance
Tom

[natben]

I don't own a 4.5 but I'm sure the starter is at the very back of the engine, below the windscreen. I think you need to move quiet a few items to gain access!!

Hope you get it sorted and can enjoy your trip.
G

[scotty_d]

Ok lets go through the symptoms first.

I take it the fuel pump is priming still if it will bump start?

Are you hearing a click from the starter motor it's self? And are you hearing the starter relay clicking in the boot as well?

If the starter motor is clicking it could be the solenoid starter wire. My starter was only a year old and the wire was badly carbonized in a that time and was doing the same. My cure was to remove the starter and solder a new wire to it. Not easy when on the road. But any good mechanic could sort this in a few hours.

As Natben says it is located on top of the gearbox down the back of the bulk head so i take it on a 4.5 ( i have a 4.2 ) the inlets need to come off to get it out.

Only picture i can find but you might need to get the engine to this level to get it out. it is right at the back.




Try keeping the button pushed in for a good while longer than normal to see if it will crank over. Other option is if the wire is fine it could be the supply if you a meter check what voltage is getting to the solenoid wire when trying to crank over. If it is sub 12v ish run a direct feed from the battery if you have any spare wire. This might allow you to crank it over from the engine bay and get you by.

Edited by scotty_d on Thursday 5th July 07:57

[tommy18]

Thanks for your replies, the fuel pump is priming and the click was at the starter.
I may have to bump a few times and deal with it at le mans. I'm going down to the car now, fingers crossed its cured itself
Tom

[tommy18]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

[natben]

Great, have a good trip.

[scotty_d]

Good stuff it may have cooled off so sounds like a hot start issue due to the internal resistance of a wire or wires some where building up with heat. I would look at the solenoid feed right to the starter body first.

Did you just keep you finger pushing the starter button?

[Mr Cerbera]

Good Luck Tom !

[big_treacle]

Mine does this sometimes. Normally it goes after a few button presses. Interestingly it didn't do it before I replaced the solenoid and gear bits. I think it's just my car punishing me for doing DIY on it.

[tommy18]

Right, an update with a hangover.
I made it after quite a few push starts in the end. Which is a shame as it was faultless other than that.
It appears that if I have a decent run, pull up, shut down and restart ,it fires up. But if I was to leave it for 10 minutes I just get the relay click no matter how long I hold the button.
It seems like if the heat sets in, something's failing or sticking.
Still, in our convoy of a large mixture of cars everyone wanted to know about the car, and couldn't believe the noise.
My passenger described it as "perminantly driving away from a war".
Thanks again for your help yesterday
Tom

[PoleDriver]

When you stop open up the bonnet to let the heat out!

[caduceus]

How long is the longest you have held the button pressed?
When I had problems with mine, I had it held for just over a minute before it fired up in a petrol station forecourt one time. I think she was puniching me for putting stty BP super in it Ahh I miss my ole Cerb...

[Tafford]

I had exactly the same thing (including bump starts) on thw way back from Le Mans except mine wouldn't start at all on the button. I've now replaced the starter solenoid and although it now mostly starts I still get a click every other time before it fires up. Wire to starter fine and it doesn't seem to be heat related as it does it cold as well. Next to investigate - starter button and immobiliser...

[gerradiuk]

I am fitting this or similar, just fitted a new starter the other week & want it to last a bit longer than the last one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEI-Versa-Shield-Starter...

[crazymatelot]

I also had a similar problem. only getting a click when pressing the starter button. Discovered that only 8V was being sent from the imobiliser to the starter solenoid. Solution was to put a relay in the circuit and take solenoid feed directly from battery. Since I did this 3 years ago, have not had any issues with starting. Biggest problem these days is the total unsuitability of modern starter motors which generally are not man enough for the job, they just don't last especially the Nissan ones (I have had one a year until I bought a TVR Racing one - Price is very similar). I think the heavier rated one from TVR Racing, are better suited, and do a better job.

[Tafford]

Dave - how did you wire the relay? - did you use the existing wire that goes to the solenoid to trigger the relay or did you run a new wire from the starter button to trigger it?

[Mr Cerbera]

Have you got back yet ??