starting problem

Post by **hammy44** » 26 Apr 2007, 21:47

i have an intermittent starting problem. some times when you turn the ignition key there is nothing, not even a click. turn it back and try again and it starts, it might take a couple of times but it always starts with a good strong kick new battery last year. would this be ignition problem or starter problem, anybody know.

Post by **deegee19** » 26 Apr 2007, 22:47

My '85 DG petrol used to do that now and again. I've owned her for about 5 years and always thought it was the battery maybe since it happened when I hadn't driven her for a bit.
Anyways the battery was starting to get a bit tired a couple of weeks back, had it tested and it was starting to go under so as it was around 5 years old I reckoned I'd had my money's worth and replaced it.
Sods Law a couple of days after while out and about jumped in and turned her over....THUNK.........and nothing.......wacked the starter motor.......nothing.
Limped down to the garage and my spannerman said it was the starter motor.
Checked the WIKI for info and it points to the bush in the starter which is about a quid I think to replace if you fancy the job. There's a good bit of info on the WIKI about fixing it so spend a bit of time looking thru' it. There's a bit about the ignition switch being faulty on the WIKI which is another thing to check..info on the WIKI on how to do it.
I checked German Swedish for a replacement starter motor and they were about 68-69 quid plus surcharge.................checked a few days later and the starter had gone upto 87 quid!, cheeky gits, so fixing it yourself might be a good option.

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 26 Apr 2007, 23:15

I've had those symptoms and it was the smaller "spade" connection at the starter motor not making a good contact. Cleaning, squeezing it slightly with pliers for a better grip and greasing to prevent future corrosion sorted the issue.

Post by **HarryMann** » 26 Apr 2007, 23:39

No engine type specified there, but as it happens, apart from above (solenoid spade terminal), could be ignition key problem.

Hot wiring power to the solenoid will determine

Post by **Plasticman** » 27 Apr 2007, 21:21

Fixed my mates while on hols, he's had top bump it off many times so hot wired his solenoid with a a pair of insulated ends behind the no plate, so when the switch dont work he nips out and starts it.

dont suppose he wil ever get round to fixing it properly now
Mike

Post by **hammy44** » 27 Apr 2007, 22:28

any tips on how to hot wire to the solinoid thanks

Post by **munnyella** » 27 Apr 2007, 22:46

Mine used to be just the same, turned out to be a cracked battery terminal clamp, looked fine, but wasn'nt, I didn't even know it was broke untill I took it off to change the battery, for which I had bought a new one, hence the spare battery, (see other threads about Leisure battery stuff")

Munnyella

Post by **gov** » 28 Apr 2007, 18:50

Had exactly the same problem! Messed about for ages trying to clean connectors etc but gave up in the end and replaced the starter motor and bush. Also made a new earth from chassis to engine. Apparently nine times out of ten its the solenoid attached to the starter! When we got the motor off we found the bearing was buggered anyway! Now starts first time everytime.

Tony

Post by **deegee19** » 28 Apr 2007, 20:29

I didn't have the time to do the repair myself(2 kids under 3 !) so I let the garage do it, bought the motor myself for just under a ton, delco brand, and it is sweeeeeetttttt!,

I realise now just how tired the old starter was, with the new battery and starter I barely turn the key and its away!.

Not the cheapest route but I've no reason the believe it's not the original starter so that's not bad service for 22 years, think I've had my money's worth out of the old unit,

the surcharge was only 15 quid too which ain't bad. Checked JK's prices and there's a surcharge of 90 quid on some of the starters for the 89-91 models!.

Post by **Plasticman** » 29 Apr 2007, 21:39

Hammy, if you sometimes dont hear the relay click then you have an intermittent fault between the ign switch and the relay,

As for the solenoid, as an emergency fix i cut into the red wire feeding the solenoid (not the heavy battery one) and ran this splice to the rear no plate area, then ran a length from bat + to same area , insulated both using female bulletconectors and with the ign on insert a bent bit of wire into each orifice momentarily joining them together and a starting we will go !

It was almost quicker to do then write up

mike

Post by **Fritz** » 29 Apr 2007, 22:51

I belive this condition is mainly due to a high resistance within the feed wire to the solenoid which has built up over the years, mainly due to (age internal corrosion etc ,etc),,,,,,,,

The FIX is to fit a standard 30 amp relay as follows below,,,,,,,,

And seeing as ours is doing a similar thing at the moment I will also be trying out this idea.......

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,

PS, illustration borrowed from Scorpio's web pages

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