strange starting problem
strange starting problem
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Discussion

brettster

Original Poster:

146 posts

269 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Whent out for a spin in the s2 290 on saturday, probably around 50 miles or so, stopped at station to put some juice in, but stopped about half hour later, and after 5 minutes when i tried to start it, it just clicked....the ignition is fine and imobiliser was ok, and after a little push, managed to bump it. Once i got it home into the garage i turned it off and restarted it no problem. I thought it was a one off, but it did it again yesterday. After starting it a couple of times without any trouble i went for a spin to the shops and it would not start again, just clicking!!!! Bumped it again and when i got her home it started perfectly......any chance anyone has had this problem????
Cheers lads
Brett

GadgeS3C

4,727 posts

193 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Sounds very much like the dreaded yellow connector. I had a similar problem and sorting the connector cured mine.

brettster

Original Poster:

146 posts

269 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Lol, What is the dreaded yellow connector???

mep12345

2,061 posts

230 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
If not the connector could the starter motor/solenoid not operating correctly. You often get the click with a discharged battery as the solenoid operates but there isn't enough juice to turn the starter motor. I'd check the yellow b****r first though, and then check your starter motor connections and earths before looking deeper at the motor itself

HTH

Mark

GadgeS3C

4,727 posts

193 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Sorry - it's a common problem so lots of previous posts on the subject (see below).

There's a connector under the steering column that connects power from the ignition switch. It can cook itself and when it does there isn't enough current to power the starter. Well worth checking as a starting point (sorry!).

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Good luck,
Gary

Edit - BTW - I personally don't recommend the Anderson connector shown in one of those posts. I tried one of those and that cooked too. I used an LC24 connector (see here)

Edited by GadgeS3C on Tuesday 7th August 17:17

brettster

Original Poster:

146 posts

269 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply Mark and gary, i will check it out as it seems strange, but i have just had a new starter fitted so i will also check out the connecters on that.
Cheers lads
brett

brettster

Original Poster:

146 posts

269 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for your posts, absolutly supperb, i'd be lost without this forum.
cheers again

NiceCupOfTea

25,586 posts

280 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Having the exact same issue with my S2 at the moment - see my "Hot start issues?" thread.

Most have suggested the starter/solenoid as the potential problem in my thread rather than the yellow connector. The yellow connector has been replaced by a soldered joint on my car but it looks a touch tired. Does this often manifest itself through hot start problems?

Can somebody tell me which wires go through the yellow connector so I can work out which have been spliced?

tvrgit

8,489 posts

281 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
Those are not the normal "yellow connector" symptoms I have seen on my car and one other - on those the starter spins but the car just wouldn't start - starter circuit was ok, ignition circuit wasn't. I don't think you would just get the "click" and nothing else if it was that.

Might be that connector, but more likely starter motor feed or earth.

GadgeS3C

4,727 posts

193 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
quotequote all
It was the yellow connector causing hot start issues on my car. Sorting this cured it without going near the starter.

Can't remember the wire colours but probably visible in some of the threads above.

On mine turning the key sometimes when hot would just cause a click and nothing else. Usually went eventually after a few turns.

orange_dodo

694 posts

218 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
I have had this issue on my car. I pulled out the started ad cleaned up all the contacts then cleaned up the wires leading to the starter (I had to resolder the end on the main high current positive wire from the battery). I also cleaned up the face that mates with the bell housing as that is the earth for the starter and can get very grubby and high resistance. Haven't had any problems since.

I also did the same thing to Autoandy's starter in a hotel car park in Belgium and it fixed his car too so I'm getting quite practiced at this!

GadgeS3C

4,727 posts

193 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
Given that you've just had a new starter, I'd look for some dodgy connections on it. The last thing disturbed is often the problem.

Just possible the new starter is faulty but hopefully something simple

Le TVR

3,097 posts

280 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
GadgeS3C said:
Given that you've just had a new starter, I'd look for some dodgy connections on it. The last thing disturbed is often the problem.

Just possible the new starter is faulty but hopefully something simple
This.

The starter solenoid supply is the only circuit that goes via the yellow connector. As it is clicking each time that circuit is fine.
It sounds like there is no primary supply to the starter, which is wired direct to the battery.

brettster

Original Poster:

146 posts

269 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
Like i said, it starts most of the time, but every now and then it dosn't. I have not had the time yet to sort it out, but will post the results as soon as i have a look at it. Cheers everyone.
I love this forum
Brett

shaun s3c

316 posts

183 months

Friday 31st August 2012
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Hi just putting my s3c back together after full rebuild,tried to start today but got no spark from coil,got a live to coil but when cranking got no spark from ht lead any help would be appreciated thanks

steve j

3,223 posts

257 months

Friday 31st August 2012
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orange_dodo said:
I have had this issue on my car. I pulled out the started ad cleaned up all the contacts then cleaned up the wires leading to the starter (I had to resolder the end on the main high current positive wire from the battery). I also cleaned up the face that mates with the bell housing as that is the earth for the starter and can get very grubby and high resistance. Haven't had any problems since.

I also did the same thing to Autoandy's starter in a hotel car park in Belgium and it fixed his car too so I'm getting quite practiced at this!
It was one hell of a trip, starter motor, water pump, fuel pump, they all got home again yes It`s quite a sight to see Tom in the dark with an S on top of him hehe

french dave

316 posts

176 months

Friday 7th September 2012
quotequote all
Hi All,recently had same hot start probs.seem to have sorted it by fitting relay at starter motor - triggered by ign switch wire and also i fitted an earth wire off top mounting bolt of starter to chassis this was after sripping down starter and solenoid finding no faults with it.

NiceCupOfTea

25,586 posts

280 months

Friday 7th September 2012
quotequote all
Had no further problems with mine since the starter motor was replaced (touches wood!)