Starting problems
#1
Starting problems
Hi Guys,
I am at the end of my ideas at the moment.
Every now and then, the car would not start at the turning of the ignition key.
Over the course of last week, we removed the starter motor and had it completely rebuilt. New bearings, new brushes, total cleaning and a new magneto switch.
Initially this seemed to have fixed the problem, but this morning the problem returned. At the turn of the key, the fuel pump starts buzzing, some relays switch on, but the starter remains dead.
Any ideas as to where the problem could still lie?
I'm thinking about a gear selector switch or something like that....the car has been very wet on the inside before i bought it back in January.
Series III, 5.3HE with GM-tranny.
I am at the end of my ideas at the moment.
Every now and then, the car would not start at the turning of the ignition key.
Over the course of last week, we removed the starter motor and had it completely rebuilt. New bearings, new brushes, total cleaning and a new magneto switch.
Initially this seemed to have fixed the problem, but this morning the problem returned. At the turn of the key, the fuel pump starts buzzing, some relays switch on, but the starter remains dead.
Any ideas as to where the problem could still lie?
I'm thinking about a gear selector switch or something like that....the car has been very wet on the inside before i bought it back in January.
Series III, 5.3HE with GM-tranny.
#2
My findings over the years and in NO particular order at all.
The Neutral start switch on the gearlever unit is #1 on my list. Sometimes placing the lever in "N" has the desired result, sometimes not.
The starter relay itself is OLD now, and the contacts inside do "burn", and although the relay itself will "click" when the start position is selected, the voltage cannot pass through. Soooo, if a "click" from the relay is heard/felt in the start position, the neutral start switch is working, simple, so that switch can be crossed off.
Running from the starter relay TO the starter motor, is a heavy gauge White/Red wire. Just near the trans dipstick plastic top, there is a joiner in this wire. This spade joiner corrodes internally, and also can be dislodged when pulling the trans dipstick out. Again, a very simple item to check.
Next, take a DVM, Red lead on the White/Red wire AT the solenoid, Black wire on a good earth, and the meter set to Volts DC. Switch TO start position,a nd note the voltage on that meter. It should be battery voltage or very close to that. If that is teh case, the starter is still the culprit.
Engine earth straps are not up to snuff, very, very common on any V12, and they will reek total havoc until sorted. Extra, dedicated earth straps, are what I do to any that cross my path.
The electrical section of the ignition switch is also well documented as a troublesome item, now that it is old. Easily removed, dismantled and cleaned.
The Neutral start switch on the gearlever unit is #1 on my list. Sometimes placing the lever in "N" has the desired result, sometimes not.
The starter relay itself is OLD now, and the contacts inside do "burn", and although the relay itself will "click" when the start position is selected, the voltage cannot pass through. Soooo, if a "click" from the relay is heard/felt in the start position, the neutral start switch is working, simple, so that switch can be crossed off.
Running from the starter relay TO the starter motor, is a heavy gauge White/Red wire. Just near the trans dipstick plastic top, there is a joiner in this wire. This spade joiner corrodes internally, and also can be dislodged when pulling the trans dipstick out. Again, a very simple item to check.
Next, take a DVM, Red lead on the White/Red wire AT the solenoid, Black wire on a good earth, and the meter set to Volts DC. Switch TO start position,a nd note the voltage on that meter. It should be battery voltage or very close to that. If that is teh case, the starter is still the culprit.
Engine earth straps are not up to snuff, very, very common on any V12, and they will reek total havoc until sorted. Extra, dedicated earth straps, are what I do to any that cross my path.
The electrical section of the ignition switch is also well documented as a troublesome item, now that it is old. Easily removed, dismantled and cleaned.
The following 3 users liked this post by Grant Francis:
#3
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Grant Francis (11-07-2017)
#4
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Inverell, NSW, Australia
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Grant Francis (11-08-2017)
#5
I am back in the work force for a week, the "boss" went a cruise.
So earlyish nights, even earlier mornings, YUK, and tolerating people wanting spare parts for a Mazda, Toyota, etc, and thats all they know. apart from the fact its Green, Yellow, whatever, oh boy, how have I lasted 53 years in this stupid industry?????, 2 1/2 days to go, whoopee.
As always, simple fixes for simple cars.
AND
Patrick asked sooooo nicely, how could I refuse?????
Then the XJR and the Black S need some TLC.
Last edited by Grant Francis; 11-08-2017 at 04:34 AM.
#7