hello again
had i small quiery ,, have 2lt TD superextra ,, working perfectly fine parked up came back 2 hours later and turned key and absolutly nothing ?? every thing on !! ie dash lights on ,, i could hear starter click but did not turn over ,, tried over several minutes and was just about to give up and call recovery tried one last time and heh prestro it came to life ,, turned over first time ,, its been ok since but could i be looking at something to come ?? is it possible starter may need overhaul ?? something similar happened on my last townace ?? any thoughts would be welcome ,,,,,,,, wishing you all well ,, javed
- (#7354) javed, 21 Feb 03
Possibly a bad engine earth or some corrosion on the battery terminals.
- (#7355) Stephen Judge, 21 Feb 03
This is covered on AceAnswers.
You can remove clean/replace all connections and it still happens. I know I have done! As a cure I've run a direct feed to the starter solenoid, with a press and release switch in the dash. Mine's RWD so I've used the blank where the 4WD switch goes.
I suspect the park gearbox switch/sensor, but as I have a working cure I've not investigated.
HTH Clive
- (#7356) Clive, 22 Feb 03
I find that the starter solenoid contacts, and the battery terminals,do need to be in top condition. Over a fairly short time, the solenoid contacts seem to have that build up of electrostatic corrosion, which needs to be cleaned off. There are references in Ace Answers and, the illustration in the engine manual,shows the location of the solenoid. Cleaning, or replacing, the solenoid contacts is quite straightforward. Keeping the battery terminals and connectors clean, helps to maximize current flow to the starter.
- (#7357) John Davis, 22 Feb 03
Javed,
One thing I forgot, which, is quite important, is the way you use your vehicle. The drain on the battery, to start a diesl, is quite considerable. If you use your vehicle for short journeys, especially with all the extra load that lights, heaters etc put onto the battery, the alternator does not, immediatley, put that power back. I have noticed that my battery seems OK except, sometimes, in the cold weather, there is some hesitancy to start. A battery "top up" with an overnight trickle charge, every couple of weeks, makes all the difference. I am lucky because I can connect my charger, direct to the battery, without removing it from the vehicle. Having to take the battery out though, to connect to a charger, is a bit daunting with our vehicles.
- (#7358) John Davis, 22 Feb 03
I occasionly have the same trouble on my townie. I find that getting someone to turn the key and then giving the starter some gentle encouragement with a lump hammer works very well. :-)
- (#7359) Tom Lister, 23 Feb 03
thank you all so much for your thoughts ,, i must confess the townie has been alright since this first happened, so havent really done any thing to it but first chance i get ill check some of the suggestions giving ,, my best wishes to all of you ,,, javed
- (#7361) javed, 24 Feb 03
If all you here when the key is turned is a 'clicking' noise it WILL be worn solenoid contacts, you can replace them seperately so no need to spend a fortune on a new starter motor (some garages will try to flog you a new motor), you can source new contact from Lucas for a few quid
- (#7432) David Coombs, 26 Feb 03
intersting email addy, Mr. Coombs. Am I correct in assuming that you have some inside information perhaps?...
By the by, there does seem to be more to it than just the starter contacts- there is a voltage drop somewhere between the ign. switch and the starter that we've never been able to find. Suffice it that in the no start condition, putting a good 12v feed on to the solenoid WILL cause it to pull in and engage...
- (#7433) david miller, 26 Feb 03
do you have some sort of immobiliser fitted
if so have it checked out.
i have just had mine bypassed because i was having similar problems.
first it would start ok then it wouldnt an hour later it would start again... hope this helps
- (#7516) steve, 28 Feb 03
I've had the same problem and my solution was the starter motor.
Turn the key and get nothing but a loud click. Open the eninge bay and the click sounds like it comes from a little black contact with two cables going into it just under the passenger seat.
Try turning the key again or just half turning and sounds like something arcing but still no start.
Try taking your starter motor apart and giving a spring clean, works a charm (1 small tin of WD40 and some grease). Mine did this last year and since doing this hasn't happened since.
Also this is the cause I have found for a constant clicking from the engine bay when starting from cold and the clicking increasing with revs.
- (#8066) Russell Hounsome, 11 Apr 03 13:41