intermittent starting problems

Post by **gov** » 18 Jan 2007, 16:30

I'm no mechanic but it seems I might have a bad earth somewhere. When cold the engine starts first time but if you turn the engine off and then turn the key invariably it won't turn over - the usual click etc but no turn over. Reading through the posts it seems this is a fairly common problem. If you keep trying sometimes it starts and sometimes you have to walk away and try again later! I've looked for a loose wire or connection but don't know where I'm supposed to look! Before I take it to a garage is there something I can try ? I think I know where the solenoid/coil is but where exactly is the starter motor?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tony

Post by **gov** » 18 Jan 2007, 16:31

Forgot to mention its an 89 2.1

Tony

Post by **kevtherev** » 18 Jan 2007, 20:54

The solenoid piggybacks on to the starter motor.

Like others this happens to me too (but no click) and I removed the motor and cleaned the contacts oiled what I could, removed the solenoid and dismantled that and regreased the gate bar.
I still does it but not half as often.

found that holding the key in the "crank" pos it eventualy turns over after 3 or 4 secs

Post by **gov** » 19 Jan 2007, 06:39

Thanks - I can now see where the starter motor is - I'll get it off and clean it all up and see if there's an improvement.

Tony

Post by **Mocki** » 19 Jan 2007, 08:36

if you are going to take the starter motor off and clean everything, whilst you have the battery disconnected, it would be advisable to cut back the wires and install new connectors onto each of them, because no amount of cleaning of the startermotor can compensate for rotten connectors, even if they look ok, the wire point connection will be groggy, as all the road crap sticks to them under there.

Post by **gov** » 19 Jan 2007, 19:59

Mocki wrote:if you are going to take the starter motor off and clean everything, whilst you have the battery disconnected, it would be advisable to cut back the wires and install new connectors onto each of them, because no amount of cleaning of the startermotor can compensate for rotten connectors, even if they look ok, the wire point connection will be groggy, as all the road crap sticks to them under there.

Thanks for advice - phoned a local auto electrical retailer for a price of a new starter motor complete - £90.50 inc vat - seems a good price! The old one looks original/dirty/rusty!! For that price I might just buy a new one. Fortunately I have a friend who is going to get it out and refit it for me- just as well as I'm useless!!

Tony