Thread: Hard to start again (big sigh)

The best thing I ever did for the RRC ute is fit a new s/hand Bosch starter out of a wrecked D1. It really spins into life, even after months of sitting idle.

I'd check the Starter motor.

Tom.

Snap!

Tom.

Originally Posted by Hall

Yep the old disco is being a bit of a challenge to start. Battery is fine with 12.7 volts and is not that old. Recently replaced the ignition module? sits next to the coil. Getting hard to turn over and when it has started and got to operating temp it won`t start till it has cooled down. When I mean won`t start I mean nothing, nada, zip. Starting to think it might be the starter coil on the way out. If it was not such a awkward place to get to I would try and hot wire the starter. The other issue is it only just barely runs on petrol. That has got progressively worse. So apart from these slight minor issues it is running like a Swiss clock
Cheers Hall

Sounds like the starter is going bad. Also be wary of aftermarket ignition amps, they fail early, did you get a Lucas one or after maket?

Sounds like the starter is going bad. Also be wary of aftermarket ignition amps, they fail early, did you get a Lucas one or after maket?

Got a unit of a guy on this forum not that long ago. He is in Sth OZ . Was a Bosch unit, hopefully not that.
Cheers Hall

Originally Posted by Hall

Yep the old disco is being a bit of a challenge to start. Battery is fine with 12.7 volts and is not that old. Recently replaced the ignition module? sits next to the coil. Getting hard to turn over and when it has started and got to operating temp it won`t start till it has cooled down. When I mean won`t start I mean nothing, nada, zip. Starting to think it might be the starter coil on the way out. If it was not such a awkward place to get to I would try and hot wire the starter. The other issue is it only just barely runs on petrol. That has got progressively worse. So apart from these slight minor issues it is running like a Swiss clock
Cheers Hall

G`day ,

when you say won`t start when hot do you mean nothing as in no noise at all ?

If the case check , clean , crimp the small solenoid wire connector .

Likely 2 wires a thin one and a thick one , not the one held by a nut , the wire with the female spade connector .

While your there give the solenoid a wriggle if it`s loose tighten it .

I had a similar problem with an old ford 351 fitted with extractors.
I got out of the car for a comfort stop and the car would not turn over But a truckie stoped by and just poured some water over the starter motor and the car started just fine.
Apparently the heat from the extractors on the starter motor made it too hot to operate and the water simply cooled it down enough for it to work.

Originally Posted by Hall

Yep the old disco is being a bit of a challenge to start. Battery is fine with 12.7 volts and is not that old. Recently replaced the ignition module? sits next to the coil. Getting hard to turn over and when it has started and got to operating temp it won`t start till it has cooled down. When I mean won`t start I mean nothing, nada, zip. Starting to think it might be the starter coil on the way out. If it was not such a awkward place to get to I would try and hot wire the starter. The other issue is it only just barely runs on petrol. That has got progressively worse. So apart from these slight minor issues it is running like a Swiss clock
Cheers Hall

This might not be a starter motor issue, check your fuel pressure. Does your pump turn on when you turn the ignition (without trying to crank) ? When you try turn the key does it make like a wheezing sound, with no firing?

I had this issue, switched the fuel pump and smooth sailing. Easy enough to check, get someone to sit in the back and listen to the floor for a sound, if they hear nothing, pump is dead.

First up , check the fuses, then the relay, I did this with a multimeter to the pins at the pump (located under the carpet in the back - was fine), the pump would run intermittently though which made its eventual failure easy to pinpoint so thats why it was giving me similar issues, switched it out (easy peasy job) and then no worries.

Also when last did you clean your MAF and stepper motor?

That said, might still be starter motor.

Generally no start means either no air, no fuel or no spark. Figure that out and you have an idea of where to start looking.