Tu Non-Starter Off The Key

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I seem to have a starting issue which appears to be elecrical related.

A few days ago I was under the bonnet and accidentaly shorted the battery with an ill placed spanner. I checked fuses to check I hadnt blown any and all seemed fine.

went to start the car later on that day and the starter was very feeble and couldnt turn the engine over enough to start the car.

Got it bump started and it drove fine. next time I went to start it, again the starter was feeble and would turn a little then click, then upon trying a couple of times would fire up.

It got gradually worse to the point now where all that happens when you turn the key is the rev counter flickering.

still bump starts fine.

 

I'm getting bored of having to park on a hill, so need to sort this out. Ive got a spare starter motor, but before I change that, is it likely to be something else like a relay or ignition module/amp?

 

cheers

john

[Tandoh 17]

Sounds more like your battery has had it than anything else :/

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

sorry forgot to mention the battery is fine. I did have a similar problem before which I thought was the battery but it turned out not to be. That cleared itself up and worked fine up until this point.

I originaly thought it could be that the starter motor isnt getting enough through to it, maybe a dodgy connection, so I ran a cable straight from the battery positive to the starter positive and it just clicked.

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

Try checking the earth cables, engine to body & from battery. this can be done with a multimeter set on volts.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I dont have a multimeter at the moment, but i'll give the earths a good clean and visual inspection

[SurGie 54]

Check the main starter solenoid wire from the ignition to the starter, they are quite a thin, red wire from factory iirc. After time they tend to wear out, which usually gives you an on off starting problem.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

yeah tried that already, disconnected it and ran a wire straight to the battery, but the starter just clicked when I did that

[miamichris 9]

I would just go ahead and change the starter, it doesn't take long to do and I suspect thats your problem, although as said check the wires to the starter while you're there.

[SurGie 54]

Sounds like a dodgy starter solenoid, give the new starter a go ?

 

If not then maybe some sort ignition barrel or electrical wire fault, the fuel pump relay may also be worth checking out.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

starter motor swapped. still wont start. to be honest the starter motor I took off appeared not far off brand new!

now when I turn the key theres not even a click.

still bump starts first attempt, but its getting tedious!!

runs exactly as normal except this issue

 

Is there a relay or something that powers the starter? there must be? whatever it was that was clicking before isnt doing so now, so I can only imagine a dying relay or similar has given up the ghost?

[Lan 24 1 Cars]

do you not have a spare battery to try? your options are limited with the lack of a multimeter for a start

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

tried it with a booster pack attached and still the same, and theres no other symptoms that the battery is low.

If I tried running a wire from the negative post of the starter to the negative of the battery, would that rule out any problems with the ground wiring? or is there other things in line that would get bypassed if I did that?

[Lan 24 1 Cars]

starter earths through engine if you have some jump leads you can test your starters for correct operation off the car with the battery, attach negative to starter body, then positive to feed post on the starter and then using a bit of wire from the feed post to the solenoid connector give power to the solenoid to check for starter operation

 

its not so bad on little starters like this but do be aware they will jump when first started

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

oh, it seems I misunderstood how the starter motor works, so the two cables that I currently have going to the terminal on the starter are the live cables, it grounds through the engine/box and the weedy little wire that goes on the spade terminal is the switched live?

 

so where do the two live cables come from? could they be the problem?

[Lan 24 1 Cars]

one is switched from ignition, one is live feed one goes from battery the other goes to the alternator

Edited June 5, 2012 by Lan

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

so by my reckoning I must have a dodgy cable! I'll get digging around later onand try not to electrocute myself!

[jonXS 30 1 Cars]

did this issue get sorted at all? ive got the same sort of issue with mine but only getting the relay clicking.

theres a new battery and starter and replaced a few of the wires in the engine bay

still no joy though

 

could just be gremlins....

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

turned out to be a couple of things, dodgy battery showing good voltage when tested but dropped when trying to start it and the rad temp sensor had also come loose and melted a cable a little bit. glad I caught that before it did any more damage!