Starting problem - Sorry have done a search

[oli_quick]

Drove the Cerb about 600 miles over Christmas (she is nice and dirty now ;-)).

Everything has been going well...starting on command, running well...

But I got home last night (late) stopped the car to open the garage and then attempted to restart her...and no show.

I hear the fuel pump buzzing, and here the 'click' - but the starter motor doesn't even attempt to spin.

I don't think it can be battery power - cause I had just been driving for 200 miles...the only other thing I had done...which was new was to plug my new Garmin into the cig lighter...

Any ideas?? pplllleeeassse...

[Steve_T]

The click is the starter not getting enough juice to turn the engine over. Your battery may be fine, but is it charging? I'd suggest you see if you can jump the Cerb and the measure the voltage the battery is receiving to see if it's charging. One possible reason is the big fuse has failed, another is the alternator has packed up.

Steve.

[micky g]

Just had similar, turned out to be alternator related.

Good luck!

[oli_quick]

I'll check the voltage and big fuse tonight...

how can I check the starter motor, solenoid and alternator (I don't even know where they are :-s)

[byker28i]

An easy check for the alternator is to check across the battery voltage. With the engine off you should get slightly over 12v from the battery. Less and it could be the battery is knackered or it's not getting charged.

With the engine running you should get around 13.5v - possibly upto 14v. Any more and the recifier pack has gone on the alternator.

[cooky]

Check the multiplug in the ignition control box (situated in the passenger footwell), then wiggle the green wire, I had all sorts of grief with mine, changed everything, steering wheel cable, three starters, various other leads and even changed the multiplug to individual spade connectors, eventually it seemed sorted, but still installed a starter override switch, since then it starts everytime cold or redhot.
Good Luck,
Cooky

[TT Tim]

It's the starter, nothing to do with not enough voltage, I had exactly the same problem, replacing the starter motor solved it, I didn't touch the wiring.

If you felt so inclined you could put a known good battery in parallel with your battery and see if it'll start, but be aware that the problem that you describe only happened on mine when it was hot!

Good luck

Tim

Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 2nd January 19:35

[RUSSELLM]

They do suffer from electrical gremlins aswell.

Try holding your finger on the starter button, five minutes was my previous record. And see if it fires up.

[gbbird]

Mine used to have trouble starting when warm. Let her cool down a bit and i bet she fires up fine.

Mine did get progressively worse and did turn out to be the starter motor - got a new one in the end and has been fine since

[McNasty]

Amazing, i have the exact same problem on mine, took it out for a spin and to show it off on New Year's day to a mate, stopped outside the garage to open the door and couldn't get her to start a few seconds later. The only differance is that i cannot hear the starter clicking just some soliniod from within the car. I tried to start her this morning but to no avail. I hope you dont mind me starting another thread on the subject as i have a couple of other questions as well. If you get yours sorted perhaps you could let me know what it was. I hope it is something and nothing.
Regards Andy

[oli_quick]

It started OK last night - I don't think it was the hot start problem as I did let it cool for 30 mins.

I reckon it maybe some resistance problem though...I will check the battery power this weekend with a mutli meter and report back...

But it seems it could be the starter motor beginning to die....

Thanks for everyones input...seems it is effecting a lot of people...maybe the time of year.