please not again :( - Any help would be appreciated?

[les5709]

Of course just as we are coming into some dry roads season the noble has to give its charging niggles again

Yesterday I plugged an Iphone car charger into the Cig lighter socket, ran back into the house 5 seconds and jumped into start the car.

The car didnt start with that terrible clicking sound I heard around this time last year so i got a push and got it started.

I thought maybe the charger had just drained the battery somehow, so drove a good 45min drive on up the road to my destination. When i stopped the car and went to start it again there was still no life

Got a bump start again and drove another few mins, stopped it and tried to start it. It started by itself a few times, then didnt start. Left it sitting an hour and it started itself again.

Drove the 45mins home, stopped it and it started ok again.

Wakened up this morning and took it a short drive. When i attempted to start it again it worked first time then i stopped it straight away again and it didnt start on 2nd time of asking

Anyone have any ideas on what could have happened here?

The car has had a new alternator 3months ago, and been moreless rewired right back with 1200oC heat shielding. I have had the exhaust (backbox and bent pipes running to the backbox only) changed a few days ago so unless a new heat source has burnt more wires somewhere?

Thanks
Steve

[les5709]

Also,

in the length of time it took me to type the above essay, I just went out and tried to start it again... With some caughin it started. Let it run for a few mins with a few revs.... Stopped it.... Started fine....

I am clueless to why...

I am just afraid though to drive it anywhere as clearly there is some issue somewhere

[2.5bluenob]

les5709 said:

Also,

in the length of time it took me to type the above essay, I just went out and tried to start it again... With some caughin it started. Let it run for a few mins with a few revs.... Stopped it.... Started fine....

I am clueless to why...

I am just afraid though to drive it anywhere as clearly there is some issue somewhere

is it def a charging issue and not a starter?

[Jim O.]

Hook up a voltmeter, and check the voltage with the engine off, while starting, and with the engine running. Be sure to get a reading when the car fails to start. If the voltages are correct, then you can pretty much rule out the battery and charging system, which means that it may be the starter, starter solenoid, or starter relay.

[les5709]

2.5bluenob said:

is it def a charging issue and not a starter?

Haven't brought it out yet to get the voltage checked to see if it's charging

[snuffy]

I assume you have fitted a new battery ? Because when they die, the die ( i.e. they can lose their charge in a very small space of time ).

Could it be a bad earth ? Take a jump lead and connect it between the chassis and the block.

[Jim O.]

les5709 said:

Haven't brought it out yet to get the voltage checked to see if it's charging

Something like this may be useful:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-RBA3-Power...

[joust]

Sounds to me like a dodgy earth or solenoid on the way out.

As advised above get a voltmeter, attach it to the battery or something like the fight lighter & check voltage when it does and doesn't start.

In addition as a precaution check all the earth straps and you could also replace the starter solenoid.

Highly unlikely is a bad starter motor which could have bush breakdown, if nothing else then look there as the 'clicking' suggests either poor feed or no completion of the circuit post solenoid.

J

[les5709]

Thanks all for ur suggestions! Think I will get this volt meter bought as you suggest and start from there.

[RobP]

Sounds like stater motor to me.

[snuffy]

RobP said:

Sounds like stater motor to me.

I've had 2 starter motors in 4 years so it could well be.

[les5709]

Just a little update: I went out this morning and successfully started the car 7 or 8 times in a row.

I have ordered up the tester to see what the voltage is.

Thanks
Steve

[Ash 996 GT2]

joust said:

Sounds to me like a dodgy earth or solenoid on the way out.

As advised above get a voltmeter, attach it to the battery or something like the fight lighter & check voltage when it does and doesn't start.

In addition as a precaution check all the earth straps and you could also replace the starter solenoid.

Highly unlikely is a bad starter motor which could have bush breakdown, if nothing else then look there as the 'clicking' suggests either poor feed or no completion of the circuit post solenoid.

J

My guess is solenoid, they are installed upside down and get full of water, they then rust and half work.


Happened to me when I had my Noble. Simple to fix, either re-mount the right way or bring them inside.

[les5709]

I assume the below is the solenoid? (sorry if i pointing out the obvious here)


Is there anywhere easy to get one of these or is it a noble only part?

Thanks
Steve

[GC1]

is it not a ford part ?

[les5709]

So the car has been back working fine again the past week.

Today I washed it and after starting it a few times its gone again

I had bought the little meter reading tool and this is what it shows...

12.9 when car just sitting there
12.1 when u turn ignition
11.9 after car starts - It doesnt give a reading during clicking the start button.

Are these readings ok? - if so...

I am wondering is there an issue with water getting into the solenoid as suggested above by joust as i just washed it 10mins before it started happening?

Thanks
Steve

[les5709]

Just started working again after i left the car 10-15mins

Reading was 14.5 or so when started. Also when it was starting it popped down to around 6.0 on firing up, but i assume that is just cause the starter is using the power to start up?

Thanks
Steve

[Jim O.]

If you're only seeing 11.9 volts with the engine running, it looks like the alternator isn't working. A car with a healthy charging system should show over 13 volts with the engine running. Does the alternator light turn on with the key on/engine off?

[les5709]

Jim O. said:

If you're only seeing 11.9 volts with the engine running, it looks like the alternator isn't working. A car with a healthy charging system should show over 13 volts with the engine running. Does the alternator light turn on with the key on/engine off?

Jimo sorry,

I should have said 11.9 after a failed start rather than on starting....

Now that the car is starting again i managed to get a reading of 14.5 or so when ticking over.

Thanks
Steve

[D_G]

Hi Steve,

It's possible the battery is on the limit, 14.5v running proves the alternator is OK. I've had a few batteries where they start the car but have very little reserve so after being left then won't have enough juice to start the car. It can be a bit random.
A good test to do is hook up the voltmeter, you should get around 12v. Turn on the headlights and heater fan and watch the volts, if they drop down quickly to around 10v (after 20 secs or so) then the battery is fubar. If it holds OK then the problem is probably elsewhere.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Dave