very strange starting problem

[sh55123]

Hi,

I am really puzzled by a sudden starting problem my car has developed in the last 24 hours.

It started with the car doing nothing for a second or two when the ignition was held in the normal starting position - it would then start as normal.

The next two starts had a longer pause, with the final one being about 3 - 4 seconds before the starter motor sprang to life and the car started normally. Apart from that, all i noticed was that cranking seemed a little less lively than usual, but i put that down to the freezing temperatures.

Now, when I turn the ignition key, all the dash lights light up as normal, but nothing happens at all (the starter motor doesn't even kick in). If I am not mistaken, the fuel pump doesn't sound like it is priming either.

I have checked all fuses, and all is fine. I have also scoured the 'tech help' forum, and nothing even seems remotely similar.

Any ideas/help greatly appreciated. The car is a 1990 m20b25 coupe.

P.S. I had been working on my driver's door lock, and had had the mechanism out etc, as I had a strange central locking problem (lifting the door handle caused the car to lock itself). Could this be linked at all?

[Brianmoooore]

Try operating the starter motor by linking pins 11 and 14 of the diagnostic socket (big round socket with a screw on cover, top, front of the engine.
Does this make it crank normally?
Locking problem is most likely a misalignment between the lock barrel and the microswitch mounted on the plate that fits around it, for some reason. Can't see any direct link between this and the cranking problem.

[sh55123]

Thanks for the advice Brian - bizarrely, I went out to it around lunchtime and tried starting it again(it has been tucked up in a warm garage all night) , and it cranked first time and sprung into life.

The starter motor didn't sound as energetic as normal though, so I thought I would take a punt and buy a new battery. One brand new 'Bosch Silver' later, and it is now very healthy.

I just hope it stays that way, and that the alternator isn't on the way out. The battery is around 2 years old, but I would have expected a little more service life from it, especially as the car is used almost daily.

Thanks again though - at least I know how to test the starter motor in future now

[mrLEE30]

^^^^ remember to put the car in neutral!!!

[sh55123]

Good point Mr.Lee-Could be a life saver!!

[johnl320]

I also have experienced shortened battery life and it turned out to be poor alternator earthing, a subject that has been covered at great length on here. Hope you sorted your issue for good