Starter Motor ?

[littlemisshavoc]

I've had a 97/P Chimaera for 14 months, and she's never let me down till this morning. Always started on first key turn, and never found wanting once on the move. I think I've done about 12000 miles ('think', since the odometer stopped bothering to count at 22999), without mishap, mechanical or otherwise. I'd be interested to hear your ideas as to why my car disgraced herself this morning. Dramatis Personae: One dark blue 4.0l Chimaera , and myself, looking forward to a slightly icy mornings slithering to the local DIY.

Act one, Scene 1. Approach car, disarm immobiliser. Take seat, turn key. Fuel pump reassuringly starts to whine behind left shoulder. Get ready to wake the neighbours. Turn key to endstop, fully expecting engine to erupt. Nothing. Can't believe it, try again. Nothing. Not even a squeak. Notice that as I turn key, cabin blower seems to fall in pitch. SO, current going through system then, but no apparent mechanical activity.
Scene 2. Pop lid, hoping for inspiration. Get other half to turn key, and hear very faint and dull single 'tick' from the depths of the bay, as key is turned. Still no joy.
Scene 3. Scour Gassing Station for ideas. Lots of Chimps seem to fail to start when HOT, but mine is cold. Stuck starter motor solenoid ?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[RobM]

Littlemiss... I had this problem, but not on my chim. Not sure if the fix will work the same, but it may be worth a try. It was the starter solenoid. It had managed to engage and get stuck. If you put the car in reverse, get out and rock the car backwards & forward it may free it.

fingers crossed.

[littlemisshavoc]

Thanks Rob, I did try that in the forward gears, no luck. In 5th, I could hear the engine turning, and the FI charging the cylinders, so I guess the starter motor wasn't engaged afterall. Thanks for the idea anyway. Could it be stuck in the 'disengaged' position ?

[dlewis]

Have you confirmed that the battery can supply the 100's of amps for starting?

ie put lights on main beam etc., connect to charger and take ammeter readout

[raceboy]

Now this is not as easy as in a 'normal' car but try giving the startrmotor a whack, a 3 foot stick is needed, this will hopefully unstick the startermoter from whichever position it is in.

[littlemisshavoc]

Thanks, will try that tonight

[beng21]

Own a '98 Chimp since nov '99. Had 2 starter motors since I bought it. Basically, if u use the car like me ie. as an everyday car and sit in quite a bit of rush hour traffic, it's not unlikley that the starter motor won't just die after too much exposure to a cookin' V8.

Once got embarrassingly stuck in front of the entrance to a block of flats. Lucky there was a mechanic to hand who used the pre-mentioned rocking trick to get the ol' girl started.

If i were u i'd just get a new starter motor, not too expensive. Posted on here last time it happened to see if there where any preventative measures, some kind soul told me to look at www.agriemach.com. They do loads of heat insulation kits, specifically one for a starter motor. Haven't got round to buying/fitting yet but will soon!!!

Good luck anyway

Ben

[raceboy]

If you having to pay for new starter motors out of your own pocket, look in to getting it repaired first, usually about £50 from your local auto electricians, cheaper than a new one, just a bit tricky to get off, but not impossible, with the right tools.

[littlemisshavoc]

I'm giving up. Tried all the above, its not the battery, I reckon its the solenoid. Having seen where the starter is, I think you'd need to be a gynaecologist to weild a spanner in there, so its off to the garage I'm afraid. My DIY only extents to oil/filter/coolant type stuff. Sorry to be such a girlie.

[bazza2000]

I don't think it sounds like the solonoid, as you said that you can hear it click when you turn the ingnition key. IMO it's the starter. Go get a new one.