Click... Then nothing

Need some help with a technical problem - ask away and let's see if we can all help.

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23e Heure
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Click... Then nothing

Post by 23e Heure »

Went up to the lock up today, the sun was out but going down and I decided - wahoo! lets take the car out, and - double wahoo - lets go to Goodwood tomorrow morning...

Car won't start :-(

Just get one click at the starter every time I turn the ignition.

Batteries seem to have plenty of juice.
I don't have a tester though: can't be 100% sure there's enough charge. That said the fuel pump is whining away happily, I can switch on the fresh air blower fan, the lights are bright etc.

So I got myself filthy shuffling underneath to get to give the solenoid a few hard taps with a hammer. No joy.
How hard to you need to tap though?

Then I looked at the 14pin connector. It's like brand new from the build, so connections are clean.
However when i had the panel off i noticed two wires are free/disconnected, I know you don't need everything plugged into the 14pin to run the car: does anyone have a 14pin out reference?
Annoyingly by this point the sun had gone down, i had no torch, and it was too dark to make out colours! So I don't know which these 2 wires were.
That said the car started fine last time I drove it, so instinct says these are not important wires for starter.

Any other ideas anyone?

Car is in a tight lock up, so working in there is a challenge.
I can't push car out either, as there's a ramped lip on the threshold.

Woe is me!
James
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Alan @ CanfordClassics
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by Alan @ CanfordClassics »

Hi James, that does sound like starter motor from your description. It is a rebuilt unit but even those can fail. Who is your local most mechanic whom can help? If you can't get it sorted I will send someone up to take a look and sort it. I have other rebuilt units in stock and yours will still be under warranty.

Let me know

Alan
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23e Heure
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Click... Then nothing

Post by 23e Heure »

Cheers Alan, top service as usual :-)
Sent you a PM!
James
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by mycar »

Ifanwhen you chaps sort this can you post it up please.

I`ve had this click going on for a few years now and what`s worse .... it`s intermittant. :cheese:

I`ve replaced the starter motor with a lovely new fast twist number. No good.

I`ve renewed the earth straps and lovingly rubbed them with greasy stuff. No good.

I`ve replaced the exciter wire to the shiny new starter. No good.

I even fitted MSD !!!... Still no good, every now and again the damn thing still just clicks. :geek:

Keeping the old girl on a CTEK and fitting a brand new Optima red top battery sort of helps... but not really

I`m starting to think the click is caused by non of the above.

Some times it`s fine. Most times it`s fine. But every now and again.... CLICK.

Personally I think it might be just a clash of personalities.... That, or maybe the ignition barrel....

Mike.
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jb
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by jb »

same topic - Rich found the answer for him was the 14 pin connector - (penultimate post)
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... r&start=15

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Decided to clean up the 14 pin connector in the engine bay, there was quite a lot of dust grime etc around.

I then decided to test the ignition switch again and low and behold I have I have 12V going to the starter!!!
I will pop the starter back in and hopefully all will be well!!!

So if anyone has a problem in the future clean the 14 pin connector first.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by mycar »

Morning Jb, hope all is well.

Thanks for the link, I'll go and search for my 14 pin connector.

Regards, Mike.
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by DEEMAN »

James, I had just the same thing last week. I ran a jump lead from engine to frame and hey presto - she started. It was just a bad earth.
Hope it works for you.


Ian

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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by Nick Moss »

My suspicion is a bad earth, either from battery to shell or gearbox to shell.
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23e Heure
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by 23e Heure »

Managed to get back to the lock up this weekend...

Thanks Ian and Nick: In case the current earthing is no good, I tried out a "DIY earth" solution (jump lead from gearbox to frame".
This didn't fix it though, unfortunately.

Mike: Did cleaning the 14pin help you? Mine is clean, and I reseated the connectors anyway. No joy for me.

Alan: No need for the cavalry just yet, thank you though.
Next weekend I'll recruit a stocky helper to push the car out and try and bump start (hmm, handy that a certain Mr Usiskin is local), then get the car over to Mr Turner's and let you know if we need to return the starter.
James
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Click... Then nothing

Post by 210bhp »

Faulty battery isolator switch? (If you have one fitted).







Regards
Mike
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by Lightweight_911 »

I had a similar problem on one of my cars - turned out to be poor connections at the multi-pin connector under the dash (mini harness from the ignition switch).
Andy

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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by stuby »

Dirty contact on the starter solenoid/comm ? Try flicking ignition on and off a few times in rapid succession, if it s the comm iit may just 'edge it on a bit ' to a clean contact area

HTH
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by Alan @ CanfordClassics »

Hi James, let me know how you get on and if you need any help just call. I am still suspecting starter motor.

Thanks

Alan
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by mycar »

Cleaning the connectors has worked for me :cheers:

Image

No 14 pin connector for me, the SWB has a selection of connectors but I pulled them apart a couple of weeks ago and tickled them with some fine wire wool and a spritz of the WD40 for good luck.... and there hasn`t been a hesitation since. Brilliant !!

Hope you`ve had some success too James.

Regards, Mike.
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Re: Click... Then nothing

Post by jb »

James
you must have fixed it because you were at Mikes RSR gathering so what did you have to do to make it work?
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