Ignition problem.....just clicking

[thelonegunman]

Hi people.
My ignition just clicks for the first few trys then fires up ok.
I have checked the terminals and they seem all ok + a recent new battery so does anyone have any ideas please ?
Thanks.

[CovKid]

Terminals where? On the switch? I'd investigate the starter motor and make sure your earth is good and all connectors clean and firmly in place.

[thelonegunman]

It went up on the ramp yesterday for a new silencer and the guy checked underneath and said all the connections were good and i undid the body earth by the battery and cleaned it so not sure where else to look ?
Thanks

[CovKid]

Your starter could be exhibiting the horrible "not now!!!" phenomena associated with old starters. A drop in temperature can often show up weaknesses - likewise batteries. Mine did that for ages till I swapped for a reconditioned one and problem was solved. Could be that the brushes in the motor have little left in them and 'catch' more by luck.

[Fritz]

Have a close look at where the Earth strap is bolted to the battery box (even to the point of removing it to check it closely).

Regards,


Fritz,,,,,,,,

[Grun]

Hi people.
My ignition just clicks for the first few trys then fires up ok.

Lonegunman, are you sure it is not just the ignition switch? They do play up. Easily checked with a multimeter.

Roadside recovery trick is to get a live directly on to the 'spade' connector at the starter usually from the battery connection on the starter itself, (so I am told, not needed to do this on mine.......yet).

Mike

[Mocki]

the "signal" wire from the ignition switch to the solenoid commonly goes "rotten" looks fine from the outside, but had rotted internally due to ingress of water and road crap and capilary action.... try running a second good wire from one to the other alongside as well as and see if it helps..

[thelonegunman]

Will try the switch and wire trick. Thanks for your help

[CovKid]

Actually, running an additional wire seems a wise move. A kind of backup for anyone who encounters failure like this which is not uncommon. At least if you had a secondary wire routed through (even if unused), you could start the vehicle in the event of a switch failure. Might do that myself actually.