Temperamental starting 4g - please help!!!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:28 am

Thanks for the advice, everyone.
It could be the starter I guess, when this dreadful weather subsides I'll go check my spare 'Lude and see if there's a starter on that.. if not, Newkid I'll be in touch.
What I really don't want to happen is I replace the battery, starter, solenoids, earth straps etc and still have the fault, I hope I can sort it soon.
Even if it doesn't turn over on the key, it should still bump-start, right?

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:38 am

...also, to change the starter, do I need to be removing radiator hoses etc or will it just unbolt without removing a bunch of other stuff?

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:36 pm

Good way to test a solenoid is to bash it with an extension bar while someone turns the key. When it doesn't work is it just a little click like a relay down by your foot or is it more of a heavy metallic clunk in the engine bay?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:40 pm

Sounds like a sticking starter solenoid to me.

As someone else has suggested, next time it doesn't work, leave the ignition on, give the starter a whack with a fair sized spanner or socket extension then turn the key it to start again and you'll probably find it starts ok.

I had a Nissan that had an intermittently sticky starter soleniod and ran it like that for ages till I could be bothered to fix it.

If that's definitely what the problem is, you can probably just strip it down, clean it and re-assemble it instead of buying a replacement.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 3:57 pm

Great advice, thanks mate ..I'll keep you guys posted!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:53 pm

...oh yeah, and how hard am I supposed to 'whack' my starter? I can be a little unintentionally heavy-handed at times...

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:03 pm

I wouldn't worry about it too much. So long as you hit the main body (i.e. not the end cap) you're very unlikely to damage it!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:23 pm

Well guys, problem well and truly solved ...and I can't believe how stupid I've been. If nobody ever wants to talk to me again that's totally understandable...
I went outside, breaker bar in hand, ready to beat my starter into submission and I noticed a few 'dings' on it already, aha I thought, this is an old problem after all! Ok before I whack it I'll check the connections for any corrosion etc, pulled back the positive wire's rubber cover to find it not even bolted to the starter, it was just touching the threaded connection bar and beginning to burn a hole in through it!!
..anyway, bolted that little bugger back on and let me tell you, it has never fired up so fast for as long as I've owned it!
I may have wasted 60 bucks on a new battery but right now I don't care, I'm just so glad that there wasn't a real problem with my car hahaha ...I'm such an idiot

Thanks again for all your help, hopefully this thread will help someone else and their non-starting woes!
Peace.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:27 pm

glad your sorted buddy just goes to show check the simple things first

Post by **vanzep** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:36 pm

yeah glad u got it sorted

sounds like an easy thing to overlook