Place your bets battery or starter or other

[Sir Brixalot]

Now I'm home I want to deal with the sporadic failure to start.

Battery was charged and reading 12.8v , so I connected it. I tried to start and nothing not turning over at all. Whilst I was trying to start the ignition the voltage dropped to 11.8 and went back to 12.6 when I stopped trying to turn over

I then disconnected and reconnected the positive on the battery and it stated 1st time. Any idea on whats most likely

[Oldiebut goodie]

Corrosion in terminals, positive and/or earth would be my first port of call.

[Sir Brixalot]

Thanks OBG. I changed the earths last year. I took a look at the starter and the spade was corroded and bent - nearly snapped through. I'm hoping that will be it.

[California Dreamin]

That will be it!

Martin

[Sir Brixalot]

No such luck. I've had a back starter up for a couple of years and bench tested it-still not joy. I think its electrical so I've started a thread there. Been getting very confused, every time I checked the live into the ignition it was good but big and erratic voltage drop by the time it got to the inhibitor and starter. What I'm hoping is that the spade into the ignition was loose but when I put the multimeter in, it was pushing the crimp so it had a good contact but as soon as I moved on to other tests it would come loose again. I'll be able to check it tomorrow when I can get some crimps, mine were too small gauge and Halfords didn't have any frustratingly.

[California Dreamin]

This is a heavy 6.0mm? wire which tells you something about the initial 'hold down' current required by the solenoid. Basically, the wire, spade connector to wire and connection to the terminal, all have to be tip top otherwise you get problems like yours.

Martin

[Mocki]

ignition switch ?
easy to proove..... hot wire and bypass it on the starter trigger side , after you have changed the solenoid spade connector .
if you want to be sure, and pre-empt future hassles, replace the starter trigger wire from the switch to the solenoid while you are at it.

old wire go high resistance and look ok from the outside, but are stealing voltage along their length!!