Is it my starter thats knackered?

[TriumphVitesse]

For the 1st time in 6 1/2 years of ownership my 21 year old Eunos finally let Me down.....She refused to start, and by that I mean it was totally dead, not even a click from the starter. The dash lights worked, the headlights, windows etc etc & the battery is only a year old so its not that. I managed to bump start it, turn it off & then start it with the key successfully 20 TIMES without any issues. I therefore assumed a niggle and put it back on the drive. That was a couple of days ago. Sunday went out to take it for a spin & same thing....DEAD! Rocked it back and forward in gear, turned the key, nothing, turned the key again & started!! Took it for a 10 mile blast and parked it up again. Went to it last night & it fired first time! Does this sound like a starter thats jamming??

[TriumphVitesse]

Seems to be behaving itself now, will check dashboard lights one night when its dark. Cheers.

[TriumphVitesse]

Tomoose85 said:

This.

Ok so last night after not using the car for 3 days its dead again. I turned on the dashboard lights and then the ignition & the lights did not dim so I suspect a faulty relay. The ignition switch must be ok as I had the usual oil/battery lights on the dashboard. Of interest I kept the key turned a couple of times and it suddenly fired. Switched it off & successfully fired it 3 times! If I use the car every day its fine, if I leave it more than a day I have this dead non firing problem - WHY??
Of interest if it is the starter relay where is this located & how do you change it? Is it easy?

Thanks!

[TriumphVitesse]

Thanks Matt,

I did initially suspect the ignition switch and had the thing out to inspect it (I assume its the thing with the cables attached to it at the opposite end to the ignition barrel - it has a little keyway in it which turns when the key is turned?) Thing is its a sealed unit so all you can do really is replace it & see what happens. Because I was still getting dashboard lights I didn't think it was the switch as I assume that I wouldnt get any lights with a duff switch? I'm assuming its starter motor related as it will bump off or even start by just keep turning the key until there is power - as if it has to be woken up!!! Like you say intermittent faults happen when its on my drive.....I had it down to the local garage who checked everything and could not find anything wrong! I bet it will start tonight as I started it 3 times yesterday....its not the end of the world as if it totally refuses I can bump it off anyway. Think I will just get a new starter fitted unless something glaringly obvious rears its head.

This must be punishment to relegating it to an 'occassional car'!! it was my daily driver but being in such good rust free condition I wanted to keep it off the salty & wet roads & only run it when its nice, but cars were built to be used I suppose and not molly coddled!!

Cheers

[TriumphVitesse]

Yeah, I have a few keys plus a pool ball keyring....!!!

Fired it up last night and it started first time, because I'm doing it every day. I will get to the bottom of it I'm sure. I could do with leaving it at the garage over a weekend so when they come to fire it up first thing Monday morning it will be dead.....probably!!