Won' start - ideas ?

[greg]

Dear All

 

I finally got a seven - yay ! It took 1 hour to get there to pick the car up, and 3 hours to get home, I took a few detours !

 

Anyway, the car seems to be reluctant to start.

 

I turn the ignition on, fuel pump ticks away happily, and the turn the key to get the starter going, a loud click, which I assume is the starter motor relay engaging, and nothing. The starter will not turn the engine. Sometimes the starter turns the engine once and then give up.

 

Any ideas ? I think the starter motor has died. Which is obviously an opportunity to get a lighter one. So does anyone have any suggestions of an easy to fit, superlight starter motor for a 1990 Xflow 1700 with a 1600 gearbox ?

 

Edited by - greg on 30 Apr 2001 09:44:43

[Rigs]

Hi from South Africa.

 

Before you start thinking for changing starter motors, check all your earth connections from battery to chassis.

 

cheers

[allen]

Advice to check earth is good - Is there a good charge in the battery? when it goes 'clunk' do dash lights etc. go out? Do headlights etc work?

 

If yes to the above questions check both battery terminals.Try re-charging battery.

 

Regards,

 

Allen

[greg]

Thanks Gents

 

The battery appears fine, as in all the elecy bits work as you would expect on a decent battery.

 

The connectors do look a bit iff, and I may have them replaced.

 

I am about to try adding jump leads to see if that helps

 

Greg

[Graham Sewell]

The connection that I have trouble with is the control wire to the solenoid. This is close to the exhaust and can cause solder to soften causing a dodgy joint. If this is a press fit connection such as a spade (mine is now screw down) then try to break/make the connection a few times and then see if that helps.

 

Failing that, don't bother with superlight starters, just go down to Halfords and get one for a late model Escort II (ohv) and take the old one to compare for pre-engaged/ bendix type mechanisms...

 

The added weight is minimal compared to the improved reliability tongue.gif

 

Cheers,

 

Graham

[allen]

As a final check, remove starter and try it off the car, using jump leads from known good battery. one to starter body(neg) one to main terminal (Pos) and with a spare bit of wire to energise solenoid (Pos to solenoid conection).

 

Used to do this with my foot on the starter - if you feel a good kick as it starts it is probably OK, if it runs eratically or slowly then it is duff.

 

Regards,

 

allen

 

 

 

 

[greg]

Thanks,

 

I got a mate to give me a shove, and the car started fine.

 

The mechanic said "that does not sound heathy", so the starter, solenoid or connections could be duff.

 

I'll let him deal with it.

 

Thanks all for the imput. I now want my car back ;-(

 

Greg

[colincagain]

I get continued problems on mine (1400K SS)despite fitting the smaller starter motor to improve clearance from exhaust etc. I think it is caused by shorting out the wires into the solenoid but despite repeated tries..... with expert help.....it never stays fixed for more than a month or so.....good luck..if anyone has any additional ideas.......meanwhile my passengers are a pretty fit lot.

Colin

[Simos]

 

Colin Chapman ?

 

[colincagain]

real - and major disadvantage when near back of pack in a race - seems to attract commentators merriment!