any ideas...?

[peteA]

Drove car yesterday...nice weather + nice roads = happy days...parked it up outside the office in bosses car park space as he was out. Another bay becamce available so decided to move the Chim.

It started then died. Then refused to re-start. Within 3 or 4 quick turns of the key it wouldn't turn over - ie the engine was trying but there didnt seem to be enough power from the battery?

Got a few of the lads from the office to give me a push (I know bump starting is not the best but ..?) - I tried it one last time and guess what...it turned over crisply, started fine and idled happily...? Took it home and swapped it for the BMW (Yawn) to be on the safe side.

Tried it a few times last night and each time it started and ran fine.

Thinking it may have been something to do with the immobiliser? But that would mean the engine would not turn over at all - yes/no? Then I thought the battery - but why did it start after a short delay? Now I am thinking it could be the leads to the starter motor?...the starter motor itself?...

Any thoughts? Just dont want it to happen again and be stranded.

Thanks in advance for replies.

[WOO5IE]

Definitely sounds like the battery

Had the car had a long run previously as it could be that the last 'start' to move to it another bay took the most of the remaining charge. If the engine was trying to turn then it cant be the immobiliser.

Is the car regulary used . Mine failed to start as it was used but only for short runs over a 3 week period

Been Ok since I fully charged it.

Trev

[peteA]

[quote=WOO5IE]Definitely sounds like the battery

Had the car had a long run previously as it could be that the last 'start' to move to it another bay took the most of the remaining charge. If the engine was trying to turn then it cant be the immobiliser.

It had a 15/20 minute run then switched off - tried to re-start 20 mins later. It started then died then wouldnt re-start straight away..?

Is the car regulary used . Mine failed to start as it was used but only for short runs over a 3 week period

Car has not been used regularly until recently.

Been Ok since I fully charged it.

Trickle charger has been on overnight so will check it when i get back in later.

Cheers

[GTvr]

Has your car the "Hot Start kit", had the same problem before fitting the kit - once as you've discribed but most times would not start for about 15mins(on a hot day and after a long run)until wiring had cooled down.
If you havn't the kit it is well worth fitting, see attached link for details and how to fit.
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_hotstart.ph...

[grahamw48]

Check your battery earth strap, and starter motor earth too.

[shake n bake]

yeh, i'd say a hot start problem, batterys generally dont die and then randomly come back to life. other option is the starter motor itself.

[peteA]

[quote=grahamw48]Check your battery earth strap, and starter motor earth too.

Good shout - will check both when i get the chance.

Lovely day today and wanted to take the chim but bottled it in case it repeated the non-starting episode - bugger!

Thanks

[peteA]

GTvr said:

Has your car the "Hot Start kit", had the same problem before fitting the kit - once as you've discribed but most times would not start for about 15mins(on a hot day and after a long run)until wiring had cooled down.
If you havn't the kit it is well worth fitting, see attached link for details and how to fit.
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_hotstart.ph...

Thanks for that GTvr - have considered fitting this kit before but have not had any problems like this...?

Dont think its this as the starter motor was trying to turn over it just seemed like there was not enough electrical power to spin the engine.

...then again, your going to say that this could be down to the over heated wiring, etc, sapping current...hmmm, will check the connections to the battery, earths and starter motor and then see what happens.

Thanks again

[peteA]

[quote=WOO5IE]Definitely sounds like the battery

Spot on WOO5IE

Car eventually gave up the ghost last sunday morning!

Upon advice from HHC (thanks Tony/Richard/Jill) checked the battery (or elimiated it) by trying to start the car with a portable power pack and it fired up immediately.

Cheers PeteA

[Flintstone]

Had this once. The 100amp fuse had snapped and was making intermittent contact.

Easy fix.

[peteA]

Flintstone said:

Had this once. The 100amp fuse had snapped and was making intermittent contact.

Easy fix.

I, and others, were also thinking earthing issues but thats something else to check as, as you say, it an easy thing to do.

Fitted the new battery on saturday afternoon and all seems well now...

Cheers