intermittent starting problem

[mctavish]

Hi,

After my griff sailed through the MOT on Friday, Yippeeee! (first one in my ownership)
my happiness has been soured by an annoying starting issue.

I turn the key, the fuel pump primes and... nothing..apart from a faint clicking from somewhere in the dash. It seems to resolve with frantic key turning, I'm sure my futile re arming and unarming of alarm/immobiliser has nothing to do with overcoming it.

Now this occurred today whether cold, warm or hot, I've already been checking the PH archives for this.

Is this the starter problem or solenoid or is there some sort of ignition switch/relay in the dash that causes problems??

I can't tell you how embarrassing it is to be watched by admiring bystanders waiting for the melodic roar only to hear silence and my cursing!!

Advice appreciated

[Kenny chim 4]

Yes, it would appear the starter motor is on it's way out. Other than running a multimeter over alternator to battery connections, you could whack the unit with a long bar. This can release the solenoid- but, that clicking noise you heard is probably the solenoid trying to do it's job (the clicking will be heard through the floor other than from the dash).

If you need to replace the starter motor, you will need good (stable) ground clearance (axle stands) and a hex socket attached to a long torque wrench to get to the top bolt- that's after disconnecting the two wires at the front of the unit.
A good motor factor will take your old unit and give you a substantial discount on the new one (as long as the teeth of the main drive cog are intact).

If it is a starter motor failure, you should be able (with the help of a couple of friends) to push start the car. Of course make sure the fuel pump is primed and lift the clutch in 2nd gear. Good luck

[mctavish]

Thanks Kenny,

I'll listen from outside the car to confirm if it's the solenoid clicking in vain.

If it is the starter and it's been cooking nicely over the years, would it be advisable to fit what's referred to as the Mod-wise hot start mod?

Is this a kit or a set of instructions supplied by David Beer?

David if you're out there I'd appreciate your input!

[bagpuss 996r]

Before spending try moving the main lead on the starter mine had come loose
from the crimp looked fine and only came off with jank new crimp then no
problems.Dont forget to disconnect battery allso check and clean sol wire.
Allso try cleening the earth on the block this can cause allsorts of odd faults.

[gruffgriff]

Mine did just the same: regardless of whether the car was hot or cold, weather was hot/cold/dry/wet, whether I was in Westferry Circus being left behind by all the other tunnellers, sometimes I turned the key and nothing at all (although the pump buzzed but the solenoid didn`t click) and sometimes it fired first time. I ruled out the starter because it was quite new and all connections to it were firm. I lived with it because it always fired after maybe 1 minute`s worth of key turning and never did it when I was near my specialist. I say lived with it, past tense, because for no reason it just stopped playing up. Has been good as gold for months now. Just one of them things....

[grahamw48]

I would definately check the earthing, including engine block to battery.

[the kowalski]

Had the exact same prob with mine last year. Turned out to be the ignition module, the connections were all scorched. A few quid later and problem solved