starting problems
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starting problems
Simply, car won't start off the key, but if i bump it its fine, the starter motor sounds fine, (i can hear it whiring) been bump starting for the last 2 weeks but i have some time this weekend, any idea what to check??
I was wondering if i got a heavy duty battery if that would work? right now i have a standard battery, but it powers the engine, cd player and four 6x9 speakers. Do i need more power??
I was wondering if i got a heavy duty battery if that would work? right now i have a standard battery, but it powers the engine, cd player and four 6x9 speakers. Do i need more power??
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- Minor Legend
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Does it start if you charge the battery up with a mains charger first?
Alex Holden - http://www.alexholden.net/
If it doesn't work, you're not hitting it with a big enough hammer.
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- Minor Legend
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If the starter motor is whirring but not turning the engine over then you need to take it off and clean the bendix -as they sometimes get dirty and stick, hence whirring but no engagement with the flywheel teeth and no turning of the engine.
Take the starter motor off (two bolts and the electrical connection which also unbolts (I think 5/8" AF and 1/2"AF))- started motor then puuls out of bellhousing from the front, the bendix is the bit at the end- it should move freely down the centre when spin by hand. Check the teeth on it are not worn as well.
Dont use oil to clean it.
Take the starter motor off (two bolts and the electrical connection which also unbolts (I think 5/8" AF and 1/2"AF))- started motor then puuls out of bellhousing from the front, the bendix is the bit at the end- it should move freely down the centre when spin by hand. Check the teeth on it are not worn as well.
Dont use oil to clean it.
Last edited by chickenjohn on Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers John - all comments IMHO
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- Come to this years Kent branches Hop rally! http://www.kenthop.co.uk
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- Minor Legend
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You can also get the starter whirring without engagement when the battery is almost totally flat, so if recharging the battery temporarily fixes the problem it may possibly be that the battery's not charging up sufficiently during normal use. Do you have a dynamo or an alternator, and what kind of journeys do you do (lots of short trips are harder on the battery than long fast runs)? A normal sized battery should be OK as long as it's not knackered - the best way to check that is to charge it up and take it to a battery specialist with a discharge tester.
Alex Holden - http://www.alexholden.net/
If it doesn't work, you're not hitting it with a big enough hammer.
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- Minor Fan
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Over the years I have found problem starters which only respond to a little bit of oil to work reliablychickenjohn wrote: Dont use oil to clean it.
I now tend to use fine oil - 3in1 or similar, work it well into the bendix spline and then wipe 99% of it off.
Using this method I have had no problems with muck accumulating causing sticking and so far my starters have worked well.
When dry I have found they don't always engage reliably and certainly make more noise.
John
1969 S4 Lotus Elan
1955 SII Traveller
Opinions expressed are of course, my own :)
1969 S4 Lotus Elan
1955 SII Traveller
Opinions expressed are of course, my own :)
Sounds very much like flat/knackered battery. If it starts with jump leads - then you need to check if it's being charged. test the volts with engine running at fast idle - looking for 13.5 volts at the battery terminals. If it's less then sort out the cahrging. If it's ok - then you need a new battery. No need for heavy duty - it's a small engine.
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- Minor Fan
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- Minor Legend
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or soft pencil "lead" (actually soft graphite).
Cheers John - all comments IMHO
- Come to this years Kent branches Hop rally! http://www.kenthop.co.uk
(check out the East Kent branch website http://www.ekmm.co.uk )
- Come to this years Kent branches Hop rally! http://www.kenthop.co.uk
(check out the East Kent branch website http://www.ekmm.co.uk )