** Battery/starting Issue... still not fixed!!!**

Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:46 pm

Take the top off the diagnostic socket and identify pins 11 and 14. Mark them with tippex or paint.
The next time it won't crank, short these two pins together with a short piece of wire.
If the ignition is on, it should start, so make sure it's not in gear.

Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:33 am

Will try that....what are those pins for??

Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:36 am

aceraf wrote:.what are those pins for??

Strangely enough - 'the starter'!

Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:39 am

brian could this be an unloader relay problem as it sounds like an earth is breaking down and not pulling in the correct relay's in hot and run positions.
just my 2 pence worth as mine would not start on occaisions and it was an earthing problem to the starter.
Forgot to add this drain does sound like an old alarm is prohibiting the car starting and causing a drain on the battery

Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:04 am

fowler wrote:brian could this be an unloader relay problem as it sounds like an earth is breaking down and not pulling in the correct relay's in hot and run positions.
just my 2 pence worth as mine would not start on occaisions and it was an earthing problem to the starter.
Forgot to add this drain does sound like an old alarm is prohibiting the car starting and causing a drain on the battery

Unloader relays have nothing whatsoever to do with the running or starting of the engine. They just disconnect a few things (most of which aren't likely to be working anyway) while the engine is cranking.

Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:45 am

Tried the car this morning, started fine....tried the pins anyway (before your reply) and see that it turns the starter over manually.

Seen as when i have the problem it doesn't turn over, this SHOULD work, yes??? What would it mean if it starts via the pins, and not via the key?

On the other hand, what if this doesn't work either? (jumping the gun a bit!), what would the next thing to try be?

Forgot to add this drain does sound like an old alarm is prohibiting the car starting and causing a drain on the battery

Also, having checked the battery readings i don't think the battery is draining as the reading seem fine to me.

Forgot to add...checked the readings when starting the car last night, and it drops to 10.something for 1 second or so, and then back upto 11.something, before it starts, and then it's straight upto 13.6/7/8.

Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:15 pm

*Update*

Went to start the car at 6pm, nothing happening when turning the key (immobiliser still de-activated since yesterday).

Put ignition on, and tried bridging sockets 11 and 14.....and guess what, started 1st time!!!

So what does this mean???

Faulty ignition???

Where do i go from here?

I can now start the car when the problem occurs, but i'd rather not open the bonnet in the rain....!!

Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:15 pm

anyone??

Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:10 pm

Hang about - I don't spend all my life at this keyboard!
Remove the panel above the glovebox and find two single pole plug and sockets with black/yellow wires.
Unplug both of them, and connect the plug of one to the socket of the other. Do the same for the other pair.
Continue using the car, and see if it behaves itself now.
The above disconnects the start inhibitor on the gear selector, so ensure the lever is in P or N before turning the key.

Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:14 pm

Hang about - I don't spend all my life at this keyboard!

sorry...got a bit excited as i hope the end is near

Remove the panel above the glovebox and find two single pole plug and sockets with black/yellow wires.
Unplug both of them, and connect the plug of one to the socket of the other. Do the same for the other pair.
Continue using the car, and see if it behaves itself now.
The above disconnects the start inhibitor on the gear selector, so ensure the lever is in P or N before turning the key.

Ok will do that tommorow

thanks

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:31 am

Done. Switched the wires over, and checked it, is starting fine.

Checked by putting it in D (Whilst holding brake, and with hand brake on), and it did start. Did that just to make sure i didn't plug the wires back into their original plugs!

Fingers crossed the problem has been resolved

Thanks Brianmoooore, you're a legend :bow:

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:39 am

Problem hasn't been solved, but if the car gives no more trouble, you're close to identifying the problem.
All that's left is the inhibitor switch and its associated relay.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:46 am

Problem hasn't been solved, but if the car gives no more trouble, you're close to identifying the problem.
All that's left is the inhibitor switch and its associated relay.

So basically if the problem doesn't happen again, then it's the above??

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:47 am

Correct! You've modified the starter circuit back to that used on a manual.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:49 am

Would it be worth replacing them if that's the case, or just leave it with the wires crossed over as it's now set?

I Always leave the car in Park, so wouldn't ever have the issue of starting it in gear, but are there any other issues that would mean that it's better to replace the faulty items?

If it's a easy/cheap fix, then i'd rather replace anything that needs replacing.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:44 pm

The only problems with leaving the car like this are the safety issues.
The problem is likely to be the selector switch or the adjustment of the gear selector rod. Probably fixable with no new parts. Take up the 'brush' panel in the console so that you can see what's happening.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:07 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:The only problems with leaving the car like this are the safety issues.
The problem is likely to be the selector switch or the adjustment of the gear selector rod. Probably fixable with no new parts. Take up the 'brush' panel in the console so that you can see what's happening.

What should i be looking for having removed that panel?

If it's just the safety issue, then it should be okay as i never leave any car in gear, and always use the handbrake. That said if i can fix it, then obviously i'd like to.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:19 pm

You're looking for the inhibitor switch/reverse light switch. There should be continuity between the blue/white wire and the green/black wire in P and N, and they should be open circuit everywhere else.
Take off the rear section of the centre console, followed by the front section if you need more room.

Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:55 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:You're looking for the inhibitor switch/reverse light switch. There should be continuity between the blue/white wire and the green/black wire in P and N, and they should be open circuit everywhere else.
Take off the rear section of the centre console, followed by the front section if you need more room.

will do this when i get some time, back at work in the morning