non starter

[jut]

Help , the chimaera i've had for 2 months has been great fun and has been no trouble. Until last weekend when we had to drive 250 miles to Wales and back again for a mate's wedding.Although the temp never went over 90C whenever we stopped to refuel etc and try to restart ,the starter motor wouldn't turn over,couldn't even hear any clicking or anything.After 20mins or so it would start as normal.
Now that the car is at home it won't start at all even after 2 days of cooling down.

Anybody got any ideas ? i'm getting bad withdrawal symtoms already !

[philr]

Sounds like the standard starter motor problem.
Try checking/cleaning up all the connections and see if it improves. If not that you'll probably need a new or reconditioned one. I think new is just over £300 + fitting.

Supposedly (not tried myself) its quite easy to get to and do yourself.

[david beer]

My starter went and i thought i could do it, the bolts seem to be super glued. I gave up before i damaged them and let the experts do it, after all its not even a hour labour. But do get a heat shield after as it WILL happen again.

[jut]

Thanks for the advice guys, where do I get a heatshield from? can't find one anywhere.

Another question for you , there's a switch hidden under the steering column cowl (the Vauxhall bit)just near the ign.switch,looks the same as the dash light item but can't figure out what it does.No clues from the handbook , could it be something aftermarket ? Daren't press it on the move in case it activates something nasty like traction control .

[M@H]

quote:
..like traction control .

Behave....

[beano1197]

quote:
Daren't press it on the move in case it activates something nasty like traction control .

Might it be the switch that turns the dashboard lighting off? (It's so that you can't see anything that might otherwise worry you at night!)

"It's night, we're 270 miles from Blackpool with a full tank of gas - and we're wearing shades" Could be from a movie or something?!?!

[hut49]

quote:
Another question for you , there's a switch hidden under the steering column cowl (the Vauxhall bit)just near the ign.switch,looks the same as the dash light item but can't figure out what it does.

...then it must be the boot release button...but surely you already found that one after 2 months ownership - the boot's that boxey thing just behind the drivers seat where the petrol filler's located!!

Hutch

[jacksdad]

I have a switch there which activates an extra fan for cooling the drivers legs. Well, thats what its meant to do and it makes a noise when I turn it on....

[david beer]

Check out the back of sprint mag for starter shield.

[Tony Hall]

I have a noise switch there as well. Apparently it's from a redundant air flow system. the same amount of air comes out of the vents whether its making a noise or not.

[ssc1]

if its just in front of the ignition switch it could just be the heated seats switch..