I Starter Problems

[Red V8]

Recently when starting first time I turn the key I get a click from the starter, but it starts okay when I try it a second time... could this be the starter on the way out ?

[bigdods]

Could be a sticky solenoid. But in my case it was the battery. When cold the battery wasnt producing any amps Trying to start (and just getting the click) warmed it a bit and it then produced amps. Once hot after a run it would again fail to produce amps until cooled down.

Does it turn over a bit sluggishly or does the battery go flat easily ?

New starter is about £120 ish plus fitting but its a quick job any garage could do it for you (if thats what it turns out to be)

In my case I changed the starter first , then fitted the hot start kit.... THEN found it was the battery grrrr.

[SpudMurphy]

bigdods said:

warmed it a bit and it then produced amps.

Vaguely curious as to how one can warm one's battery a bit.

In my case it was the first sign that the starter motor was on the way out.

[Red V8]

not sluggish at all second go... also use accumate and it happens when I first unplug as well.

[bigdods]

SpudMurphy said:

bigdods said:

warmed it a bit and it then produced amps.

Vaguely curious as to how one can warm one's battery a bit.

In my case it was the first sign that the starter motor was on the way out.

As I understand it my battery was knackered and this means the plates were probably buckled and shorting out. Trying to use the battery for starting the engine might (so I am told) warm it up a touch as it tries to produce current and this would possibly cause the plates to move slightly and stop shorting thereby allowing the battery to do its job and produce more amps. Then as the battery is charged during driving and warms up the plates continue to move and short out again when hot.

Technically it may or may not be correct but when I described my symptoms to a mechanic this is the explanation (well mostly I may have lost some in translation) and it exactly fits the sequence of events that I was experiencing. New battery and all problems solved.

[poorpeet]

Well as it happens this morning I had a fun couple of hours removing, cleaning & replacing my starter.
Mine would fail hot or cold as the mood took it. Sometimes a tap on the starter would make it work, sometimes not.
Anyway, I stripped the starter & it was in tip top order. The only prob was a corroded spade terminal on the solonoid. I have cleaned up all the terminals with emery, put vaseline on them & put it back.
Spot on now.