It a love hate thing.....

[m.lovell]

My old Merak has been going absolutely fabulous, set all the carbs up, gave it a good valet etc etc. Most off the problem with it is that it just don't get used enough and today it let me down for may be its last time. Had to go to Lincoln with the wife, all dressed up arrived fine , come to leave and no starter again. So far have rebuilt the ignition switch (as McGrahs did 6 months ago...) rebuilt the starter, put on a new solenoid and its been no trouble.
Put a couple of hours extra in the parking meter and return later and it starts as normal, any one any ideas before I take it too a dark field and put it down ?
Ive also had the immobiliser replaced under guarantee as we thought that might be the problem.
marc

[murph7355]

Presumably there's juice in the battery?

What happens when you try and start it?

Was it hot?

Electrics on classics are their downfall usually. I can only imagine what modern cars are going to be like when they get to be 20yrs old +

[lagerlout]

Does the solenoid click?

Assuming it does..

Bad ground somewhere?

Broken plate in the battery? When did you last change it?

[m.lovell]

also put a new battery on it. The solenoid clicks but starter does not engage or turn. The most frustrating problem ive ever had as it makes the car unusable. Its funny when you lose confidence in a old car as you just dont enjoy driving it.
marc

[m.lovell]

Just been to start it and again it wont start. At least I now have it at home and broken down. A couple of quick questions, should the be power to the thick wire on the starter be live all the time ? and should the live wire to the solidnoid be live when trying to start ?

Edited by m.lovell on Thursday 29th June 18:28

[m.lovell]

getting some were (its getting back when i have a problem...) Gave the wires in to the starter switch a good wiggle and it started.Going to check all the wires......
marc

[murph7355]

m.lovell said:

getting some were (its getting back when i have a problem...) Gave the wires in to the starter switch a good wiggle and it started.Going to check all the wires......
marc

No experience with Meraks unfortunately, but K-series Caterham's are notorious for this. The starter's in a position where it gets very hot, and the connections to it can get very iffy. Initially when hot, but eventually all the time.

Would be well worth reseating all wires and checking that they're all sound throughout their length (or as much of it as you can see).

Might also be worth getting a recommendation of a good auto-electrician (apologies but I don't have one). People with experience of tracing faults like this can prove invaluable...

I know what you mean about losing confidence in them. But a few spirited blasts and positive acknowledgement from fellow enthusiasts and the warm feeling comes back

[m.lovell]

checked all the wires, no bad ones found. Used car today, picked up kids from school and it would not start (it had started hot, cold and every time today).One thing I did notice is the current draw when trying to start it, its pulling a lot of current.
Been a bad week on the car front, took the 930 out for a thrash and blew the seals out of the inter cooler to turbo connection, buggered the overdrive up on the mgb roadster, the master cylinder has gone on the csl and air con compressor has finally gave up the ghost on the Royce. Topped of with the cost of dino gear box parts to stop it jumping out of gear I think its time I went to the Lambo showroom and ordered a new car (wife thinks its a fab idea)
will post some questions on this forum....

marc

[MJK 24]

m.lovell said:

Just been to start it and again it wont start. At least I now have it at home and broken down. A couple of quick questions, should the be power to the thick wire on the starter be live all the time ? and should the live wire to the solidnoid be live when trying to start ?

Edited by m.lovell on Thursday 29th June 18:28

Sounds like a duff starter motor.

Thickest wire will always be live. You'll be able to trace this back to the thick red wire on the battery - it's the same wire.

The wire to the solenoid will only become live when you try to start the engine.

Don't lose faith, old cars are just as reliable as new ones and Merak's are lovely

[m.lovell]

Took my wife for a spot of shopping in it today and it didn`t break down once. Tonight I will be giving the old girl some special love (the Mas not the wife...). Putting a order in for a qudraport at the week end after I`ve decided on the spec, why do the give so many choices....
marc