frodo_monkey 0 Posted April 30, 2006 Please can somebody help with an annoying problem with my racecar: It just doesn't seem to want to start by itself, and I'm nearly out of ideas. Just as an aside, I've put the battery into the cockpit in a fibreglass box on the passengers side floor, and the car now starts on switches as opposed to with a key. When I make the Battery Master switch live, then make the Ignition switch live (you can hear the fuel pump come live at this point), then press the Start button, I get a click the first time, then nothing. After that first time, not even a click... I've replaced the battery with a brand new one as I thought that may be at fault, and theres no difference. I've tightened & cleaned-up the earth, and since moved it to somewhere better, and still no difference. But every time I try to jumpstart it from my big diesel pickup, it goes first time. This led me to get the multimeter out, to see what was going on - the alternator is charging, and both batteries sit at about 14.3V with power off the car. With the ignition on, theres a small continuous decrese (as you might expect), then when I attempt to start it, the voltage rapidly drops to 13V, but the car does nothing. After I turn the Ign off, it goes straight back up to 14.3V and sits there. This is the same with both batteries, both 063-type, with one brand-new from Halfrauds. Does anybody have any good ideas, apart from beating the car to death with a hammer?! Thanks in advance, Frodo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted April 30, 2006 The battery isn't carrying enough voltage through the circuit, probably due to a poor connection or the extra resistance in the extra lengths of the new cables? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ada205 2 Posted April 30, 2006 Hi mate. Dont know what you've changed on the car with it being for track use, but if the infamous Brown multi plug that lurks around the original battery tray area, under the afm is still present, then check it out. It's easy to find, think has seven wires coming from alternator, oil pressure senders, engine temp ect, but most importantly starter motor solenoid. The solenoid wire is the fattest. Pull the plug apart and see how Green and corroded it is. Either clean it up or remove and re-connect wires. This has cured all my starter moter problems in the past, though I've never had one that clicks just the once, then nothing on the next try. If you try a small wire brush to clean up the metal, you may want to disconnect the battery before. Dont think theres any lives in there when ignition off, but better safe than sorry. Hope this helps mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattmk1 0 Posted April 30, 2006 The battery isn't carrying enough voltage through the circuit, probably due to a poor connection or the extra resistance in the extra lengths of the new cables? ill second that. Due to the extra length of battery cable, your probably not getting enough power to the starter, thats why the relay just clicks. Do all the dash lights fade when you turn the key? Id use some shorter battery leads or ones that can carry more current. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
