No power to starter solenoid

[jen541]

Can anyone advise me on this please:-

After brisk 30 minute run I parked my "99 4Ltr Chimp in the drive. Ten minutes late I went to start it but the starter failed to operate.

When turning the ignition on everything else appeared to work except the starter,. ie Fuel pump runs for a few seconds ignition light comes on etc. I noted that on turning the ignition key to "start" no sound at all is heard and the ignition light didn't flicker(no current being drawn)

I checked through all the connections I could get to and found that there was power via the main battery to starter lead but nothing to the small lead on the solenoid (ignition on and key fully turned).
I removed the steering column cowel to find the red and white lead that, according to the diagram in Steve Heaths manual, feeds the solenoid from the back of the ignition switch.
Using a meter the power came on with ignition key turned to "start".

With this in mind the fault must lie somewhere bettween the ignition switch and the solenoid.
The lead at the solenoid is black and as the one from the ign switch is red & white there must be something in bettween (Not shown in the manual)
I pulled out every fuse and tested each one. All OK but car still wouldnt start.
I checked the security of all the relays on the fuse board. Car still wouildnt start.
I then pulled out the ECU checked the security of the plugs and the relays that hang off that horrible mess of wires laying on the battery. Tried the car again and away it went?????? Was this just coincedence or what.

I gave the car a good thrash for about 30 minutes drove back home and stopped and started it loads of times All OK?

I,m now concerned that it's going to let me down miles from home.
Where does the red and white wire go to? is it to the Meta immobiliser? Could the immobiliser be causing the problem? what goes wrong with them? can they be repaired?


Help
JEN541

[Cider Andy]

I don't think it's the immobiliser, as the fuel pump runs when you turn the ignition on. It sounds like the 'hot start' problem to me. Do a search on 'hot start' in this forum, you'll find lots of help!

[GreenV8S]

Did you trace the wire as far as the steering column multiplug? That's a common point of failure. If it isn't that, I'd suspect the immobiliser.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

GreenV8S said:

Did you trace the wire as far as the steering column multiplug? That's a common point of failure. If it isn't that, I'd suspect the immobiliser.

If it's the immobiliser, the fuel pump doesn't prime?

I think

[GreenV8S]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If it's the immobiliser, the fuel pump doesn't prime? I think

That seems reasonable if the immobiliser is working correctly, but if there is a fault it could easily affect one circuit without affecting the other.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

GreenV8S said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said: If it's the immobiliser, the fuel pump doesn't prime? I think That seems reasonable if the immobiliser is working correctly, but if there is a fault it could easily affect one circuit without affecting the other.

Dokey

[Cider Andy]

jen541 said:

...but nothing to the small lead on the solenoid (ignition on and key fully turned)...checked the security of the plugs and the relays that hang off that horrible mess of wires laying on the battery...Was this just coincedence or what?

I've put the wine down and reread your thread! It's very probably NOT the 'hot start' problem I referred to.

I'm not certain, but I think there is a connection in the footwell for the solenoid supply from the ignition switch, so it might not be coincidence that moving the loom around near the battery cured the problem.

[griffter]

jen541 said:

The lead at the solenoid is black and as the one from the ign switch is red & white there must be something in bettween (Not shown in the manual)

Sounds like someone may have wired a relay in between the ignition switch and solenoid (and used black wire instead of red/white). If that's the case perhaps the relay's broken. But to find it you'll have to trace wires...

[jen541]

Thanks to all those who've replied:-
Yes maybe it could be a hot start problem but not from the starter itself.
I'll have a good look for the multiplug but I think the wiring on mine disappears up behind the dash I'll probably end up taking the dash top off (damn).

Amongst the spaghetti in the passenger footwell is a connector with several black wires feeding into one half. The other half of the connector has black wires looped back into itself effectively joining the feeds togeather? Maybe this is to do with the supply. It appears to be factory made and not a later addition.

Fired the beast up several times this evening all fine at the moment.
I'll keep you posted

JEN541