DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

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!

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

Cheers Alan, top service as usual
Sent you a PM!

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.

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.

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.

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!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Morning Jb, hope all is well.

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

Regards, Mike.

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

_________________________
1965 RHD 911
2001 3.2 Boxster

My suspicion is a bad earth, either from battery to shell or gearbox to shell.

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.

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







Regards
Mike

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).

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
Stu

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

Cleaning the connectors has worked for me



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.

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