SHE'S LET ME DOWN AGAIN!!

[general_lee]

After a brill day out in the Chimaera, just popped down to the bank to get some money. Went back to the car and she would barely turn over. There was no way it was a flat or low battery - we'd been out all day! Left the car for an hour or so; went back and she started; albeit after some initial slow cranking. Anybody got any experience of this or should I just give up and buy myself a nice reliable 2 seater lawn mower...

[Bodo]

Find the lastest success story here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=11975

[fatsteve]

I get this regularly, it tends to be the starter motor overheating. When I drive through heavy traffic and then stop, the car won't restart, need to leave it for 10-15 mins or so. Once the starter motor has cooled down, starts first time.

I keep meaning to get some heat shielding for it cos' sooner or later it will go completely.

Cheers

Steve

[general_lee]

I've read about the sticky starter motor before, but it can't be that - I tried starting her again this morning and although she's turning over quicker - it's still slower than normal and doesn't seem quick enought to crank the car. I had something similar back a few months ago and the AA bod put a light into the fuel injector and said that the fuel injector was also not responding. His theory was that it was an electrical fault. We disconnected/reconnected the battery and it's been fine since .... up until yesterday! Anyone had these symtoms??

[ap_smith]

I used to have a Scimitar 5a (you can stop laughing now) which had a fibreglass body, a la TVR.

One problem I had consistently was starting when the engine was hot. The starter motor would labour and 'just' turn the engine over. The problem I found was that as the body is fibreglass, and the engine mounts don't conduct, the engine wasn't getting a good earth.

Looking over the engine, I found that the earth strap from the engine to the chassis has corroded away some time earlier, so I bolted a big fat metalic strap from the engine to the chassis which cured the whole thing instantly.

Just an idea.....

[general_lee]

I've just had another look around the engine and found a group of wires coming from the alternator and going down between the engine block and the o/s manifold. The casings on several of the wires (including one chunky brown one)have perished and are exposing the copper core. Anyone got any ideas what nighmares this is likley to cause ... is it likely to be part of my problem?

[DaveMorton_Eunos]

This could be completely unrelated (or not).

Last week whilst my Griff 500 was at the garage being fixed my Suzuki Swift Gti came out in sympathy with it.

It had identicle symptoms to what your having. Poor or no starting when hot and gradual drop in performance when cold until I daren't run it anymore and had to resort to the bus for commuting and meetings (not pleasant).

Autoelectrician diagnosed dodgy earth on the starter motor.

Seems to have done the trick (fingers crossed - and £190! later).


Dave

[JMorgan]

quote:
I've just had another look around the engine and found a group of wires coming from the alternator and going down between the engine block and the o/s manifold. The casings on several of the wires (including one chunky brown one)have perished and are exposing the copper core. Anyone got any ideas what nighmares this is likley to cause ... is it likely to be part of my problem?

Could well be the battery lead. Protect ASAP. Not sure on how its wired on yours but+ve lead, Alternator to starter motor to Battery on some cars. Must never come into contact with the block which is -ve, if its what I think it is. Heat resistant sister flex should protect it.

[general_lee]

Cheers all - me thinks she'll be paying a visit to the auto electrician for a once over on the ignition system.

[JMorgan]

If you have not already done it, check all connections, battery, stater motor etc. Clean them and protect the battery ones with grease/vaseline etc. Engine earth straps etc. Might save a few bob.