Help! Funny starter problem

[Duke Thrust]

Got a funny starter problem:
About 3 weeks ago got into the car as normal but when I turned the key nothing happened starter-wise. Fuel pump primed okay, imobiliser turned off but not even a click from the solinoid. After a few minutes swearing for no reason it suddenly worked and was fine until today.

Exectly the same thing happened but it wounld't suddenly burst into life - as soon as I bumped started it all was fine, got home and it turend over fine on the drive.

No noise from the starter at all so I'm guessing that the smaller wire going to the starter has gained a dodgy connection.

I'll have a look tomorrow but has anyone got any suggestions?

It was very embarassing.... I was sitting in the Gloucester rugby car park, had to wait until the crown went before plucking up the courage to bump start it.....

Edited to say that srater turns over no probs normally, nice and fast even when hot.

>>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Saturday 19th February 18:54

[parrot of doom]

A friend of my dad's had a problem with his Mondeo once - it wouldn't start up in hot weather.

The fault was eventually traced to a manufacturing fault, where the person responsible for plugging the ECU in only half-pushed the connector home.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, make sure all your contacts are well located, and nice and clean?

[kslett]

Had a very similar problem few days ago. Everything primed but no noise at all when trying to turn it over. Recovery chap gave the starter motor a few taps with long wrench whilst I held ignition in position three and hey presto! Sounds like a jammed pre-engager. Not had any problems since.

[chimleic]

Had the car already been run (engine hot) when you had this problem? If so, it's a pretty common niggle with the Chim. I suffered with this for a few months (can be embarrasing at petrol stations) until I got a Mod-Wise kit that sorted it out. Starts perfectly now, every time.

[Duke Thrust]

Thanks for the replies, so far it's only done it when cold, got back to my house after a decent run and it started 3 times in a row on the drive.

One though was the big fuse making a bad connection? As I understand it, if the big 100a fuse had gone the battery wouldn't charge - all seems fine in this area, no warning light and planty of power when the starter does decide to turn.

[victormeldrew]

It is a common problem with the starters on Chims, they break down through overheating over time. They do come and go for a while before expiring forever. You probably need a new starter, and the ModWise kit as mentioned to shield the starter in the future.

[Duke Thrust]

I removed the starter feed cable this morning and tired to start it, exectly the same, no noise or drain on the system.

It seemed pretty mucky, given it a good clean up so time will tell, fingers crossed that I won't need a new starter.

Cheers for you help chaps

Duke