Intermitant Start Problem

[McDude 33]

I did a search, but my problem is quite specific.

 

I have an intermitant starting issue with my Pug - 8v engine. When you turn the key to 'crank' 9 times out of 10 it cranks like a dream. But recently, sometimes it clicks, like a relay click, but then nothing. Flick the key backwards and forwards a few times and eventually it kicks the starter into life.

 

I'm thinking that the problem is a dodgy starter relay, but I'd welcome other suggestions. It starts like a charm, hot and cold most of the time so it has to be a loose connection if it isn't the relay.

 

No other electrical faults.

 

Oh - and where does the relay live if it is that!?!?!

 

Thanks Dudes!

[welshpug 1,657]

There isn't a relay, most common cause of this is the solenoid wire and terminal corroding, and the brown multiplug if fitted.

 

Replacing this wire from the brown plugs under the dash should help a lot.

 

Another cause can be dirty/loose earths, and a poor connection between the battery positive terminal and the shunt box on the slam panel.

 

and if all that doesnt work, and the battery is healthy, fit a later small bodied starter motor from any XU7 or 10 (S16, XSi, gti6, and 1.8 engines etc)

Edited July 31, 2008 by welshpug

[jamiej 0]

I had this exact same problem with mine but today it totally stopped working. Which is very irritating.

 

So, i have had a look in the trusty haynes and it said a couple of things to check. When i go to crank the car, the headlights do not dim, this apparently indicates that the starter is not getting any power. Where do i start then, the starter is under the inlet so i cant even see the connections on that. Is there anywhere i can/should check.

 

I really need this car working but all i can see under the bonnet is a mass of wires with no real indication what they do or where they go. Is it worth whipping the inlet off and having a better look or is there anywhere else which is more likely to be the cause of the issue.

 

Photographs would be most helpfull.

 

Cheers guys

 

Jamie

[EnglishRob 0]

I had this exact problem on my old 1.6. I think the problem was related to the Brown Multi Plug.

 

Try doing a search for Brown Multi Plug and you should find a post telling you where it is. I can't remember exactly as it's going back about 3 years now but I think if I remember correctly it was on the right hand side of the engine bay (when looking at it from the front), possibly under the air flow meter I think. Has about 6 wires going into it and no doubt it's been corroded.

 

When I had the problem and asked about it, some of the guys on here suggested replacement plugs, so it's worth doing a search for Brown Multiplug against my username.

 

Rob