Starting problem

[David H]

For the past week whenever I've started the car the starter solenoid has made a clicking sound and then on the next attempt the starter would turn (with good power, battery is new and BIG).

This would happen 50% of the time, the other 50% is would start first time.

This morning the solenoid clicked around 7 times before it started! The car was cold and hadn't been ran since the night before.

Are these the same symtoms as the hot start mod? I've never had it before.

I have fitted half (not that it does anything being only half connected!) of Dave Beers hot start kit but can't find the 3 link wires to finish it off, are all Griffs the same in this area (mine's a '94 Pre serp T5).

I would normally just take the starter off and have a look but I'm in southern Germany at the moment and will be for the next month and I need the car everyday.

Any ideas?

Edited by David H on Thursday 3rd August 07:36

[JoolzB]

It doesn't sound like the normal hot start problem as it sounds like the solenoid is working. Somebody else had a similar problem and posted it up on here quite a while a go but damned if I can remember what the remedy was, I'll try and find the thread.

It could be battery related.

[David H]

The battery is new though Joolz, and cranks very strongly (when it actually does crank!).

[JoolzB]

David H said:

The battery is new though Joolz, and cranks very strongly (when it actually does crank!).

Looks like my speed reading was a bit too fast that time

[David H]

I was thinking possible engine earth but that was only recently attached aswell (and I checked it was still on tight the other day).

So does the solenoid not operate at all during the classic hot start problem?

Is it possible for the solenoid not to be fully pulling in or have a bad contact?

[JoolzB]

Just found the thread I was talking about, I remember now that the starter teeth were todged but prob not the same problem as yours. May be worth a quick read tho as there are a few comments that suggested what the problem may be including a bad earth.

edited to add www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=214871&f=9&h=0&hw=starter

oops,well it is early

Edited by JoolzB on Thursday 3rd August 07:50

[Seasider]

Can you put a temporary earth on ? At least then thats ruled out

[David H]

Thanks Joolz, I'll take a look at that in a moment.

Derek, I'll be doing that Friday evening if the solution doesn't come to light.

[david beer]

David
you do not have the 3 link wires so the mod has to be done under the bonnet, not differcult. Certainly the first thing i would try.

[David H]

david beer said:

David
you do not have the 3 link wires so the mod has to be done under the bonnet, not differcult. Certainly the first thing i would try.

Sorry to sound like a numpty, but where under the bonnet? Was the link wire I was looking to splice in to the solenoid feed wire?

Connect all at the starter? Pos to starter pos, then splice in to the solenoid feed with the connector block?

Edited by David H on Thursday 3rd August 08:34