Problems starting S2 when warm

[foxy600]

I am having problems starting the S2 when warm, when it is cold things are fine, but after running for a while, then trying to restart it does one of two things:

1. The starter motor clicks but doesn't turn the engine, I know the battery is fine and I have tried jump leads too
2. The car will turn over and start (just) then it sounds like it is running on 1 - 2 cylinders. The engine then stops after 2 - 3 seconds. I have also noticed that I can't hear the fuel pump either

If I leave the car for a while to cool down, it then starts again and runs normally

Any ideas?

[Barkychoc]

foxy600 said:

I am having problems starting the S2 when warm, when it is cold things are fine, but after running for a while, then trying to restart it does one of two things:

1. The starter motor clicks but doesn't turn the engine, I know the battery is fine and I have tried jump leads too
2. The car will turn over and start (just) then it sounds like it is running on 1 - 2 cylinders. The engine then stops after 2 - 3 seconds. I have also noticed that I can't hear the fuel pump either

If I leave the car for a while to cool down, it then starts again and runs normally

Any ideas?

Check that the thick red cable from the battery to the starter is secure. Be careful if you use a spanner as its a live terminal on the starter - touch other metal and you have a short and a big spark.

In fact - also check there is a good earth on the engine - it might be loose which would not only give you dodgy starter motor performance but might affect the engine too. I don't have the 2.9 so someone else will have to tell you where the earth is - you're looking for a meaty wire (or it might look like a metal braid) from the engine to the chassis / battery - terminal. Again check its secure. Follow the - terminal from the battery, it should route to the engine / body.

You can't hear the fuel pump cos you've gone deaf.....

[clarenceboddiger]

Starter motor could be a bad connection made worse by heat, the "running issue" sounds like it may have something to do with fuel vaporising in a pipe due to heat,could you have an airlock in the fuel lines somewhere?

[Mr Clifford]

foxy600 said:

I am having problems starting the S2 when warm, when it is cold things are fine, but after running for a while, then trying to restart it does one of two things:

1. The starter motor clicks but doesn't turn the engine, I know the battery is fine and I have tried jump leads too
2. The car will turn over and start (just) then it sounds like it is running on 1 - 2 cylinders. The engine then stops after 2 - 3 seconds. I have also noticed that I can't hear the fuel pump either

If I leave the car for a while to cool down, it then starts again and runs normally

Any ideas?

Thought you had just got this car back from the garage Chris ?

[Jed-S]

I'd check the following:

Engine earth - should be on the offside of the block under the exhanust manifold and goes to this chassis. It is a braided cable usually. IIRC it goes to the diagonal on the outrigger so is subject to corrosion. However do undo and clean the end on the block because your problem at a guess looks to be heat related.

Ignition switch connector - check the connector under the steering column next to the ignition switch. This could explain symptom number 2 that you have.
Here is a pic of mine - the yellow connector fits inside the black bit.



Check the main power feed to the starter as mentioned earlier.

Then I'd move onto the starter and strip it out and clean the internal contacts on the solenoid. Must admit that I've not done that on the starter on the 2.9 but other Ford starters (Pinto & CVH) have been easy strip and clean.


Regards the fuel pump, it only primes for a second or so when the ignition is turned on and then doesn't come on until the engine is running. Do you get that initial priming?

Good luck

[foxy600]

Thanks for all your replies, the car is now in Guglielmi's and they will hopefully sort it before I leave for LeMans on Thursday!!!