Intermittent starting issue
Discussion
This is a bit of a pain in the arse really, I've got no idea where to start.
Essentially, at random times the car won't start, every time I've noted it it has been hot already, i.e. after a long journey and pulled up for a minute or two (unloading music gear or getting petrol etc). I'll turn the key and the dashboard lights will dim but nothing happens, it doesn't turn over, there is not a click of any sort. Just silence with the dashboard lights dimming (which as I understand it means that power is being drawn from the battery? Definitely not the immobiliser interfering as when that is armed the lights don't dim).
Asides from that, I've only got two things which might lead someone to an answer
Firstly, on one occasion I was in the garage on an unrelated matter when it did it. Mechanic asked me to turn the key all the way, so as to start it up (except obviously it wasn't starting). After maybe 10-20 seconds, just as he'd grabbed a testy thing for testing how much power the battery was giving out (I think, not exceptionally mechanically minded so forgive me on that!
) without me doing anything else, it started.
Second of all, it happened tonight and I was able to get it bump started absolutely fine.
There seems to be a vague correlation between use of electrics (headlights) and it happening; for example, tonight when it happened I was unloading music gear, so had the sidelights and hazards on. Every time that I can think of where it has happened, I have had the headlights or sidelights on while the engine was off (literally a minute or two, when left longer it's fine). However, apart from tonight it had probably been 3 weeks or so since it last did it. Before, it was doing it regularly and after a couple of tries would fire up as if nothing had happened, but tonight it just wouldn't. Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Funds are very tight at the moment so would rather find & fix the problem myself than just give it to the garage
Also, not sure if this is of relevance but occasionally when I turn it off it'll keep going briefly, spluttering and stalling to a stop rather than just cutting out.
Apologies if this hasn't made much sense, it has been an incredibly long day!
Essentially, at random times the car won't start, every time I've noted it it has been hot already, i.e. after a long journey and pulled up for a minute or two (unloading music gear or getting petrol etc). I'll turn the key and the dashboard lights will dim but nothing happens, it doesn't turn over, there is not a click of any sort. Just silence with the dashboard lights dimming (which as I understand it means that power is being drawn from the battery? Definitely not the immobiliser interfering as when that is armed the lights don't dim).
Asides from that, I've only got two things which might lead someone to an answer
Firstly, on one occasion I was in the garage on an unrelated matter when it did it. Mechanic asked me to turn the key all the way, so as to start it up (except obviously it wasn't starting). After maybe 10-20 seconds, just as he'd grabbed a testy thing for testing how much power the battery was giving out (I think, not exceptionally mechanically minded so forgive me on that!
) without me doing anything else, it started.Second of all, it happened tonight and I was able to get it bump started absolutely fine.
There seems to be a vague correlation between use of electrics (headlights) and it happening; for example, tonight when it happened I was unloading music gear, so had the sidelights and hazards on. Every time that I can think of where it has happened, I have had the headlights or sidelights on while the engine was off (literally a minute or two, when left longer it's fine). However, apart from tonight it had probably been 3 weeks or so since it last did it. Before, it was doing it regularly and after a couple of tries would fire up as if nothing had happened, but tonight it just wouldn't. Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Funds are very tight at the moment so would rather find & fix the problem myself than just give it to the garage
Also, not sure if this is of relevance but occasionally when I turn it off it'll keep going briefly, spluttering and stalling to a stop rather than just cutting out.
Apologies if this hasn't made much sense, it has been an incredibly long day!
VPower said:
Some possibilities.
Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
Regarding this, yes they do! But only in the first few minutes of the engine running. Someone else today said "sounds like it could be the alternator" but they didn't sound too sure.Bad connection between battery terminals.
Take them off and clean if post type, or tighten up.
Try twisting them to see if loose.
Bad earth connection from the negative of battery to the chassis.
Again clean and tighten up.
With lights on, rev engine, does the lights get brighter?
Could be alternator on the way out and will give up totally very soon if it is and no charge to battery.
Buggered alternator can be caused by bad connections so get them checked.
Starter motor is seizing when hot or the solenoid is suspect.
Sorry should've said, car is a 1991 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 petrol.
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