Engine start-up problem

[Guest]

Hi guys
Just need a little advice as to what the following might mean for my engine
On switching on, a loud machine-gun like staccato sound occurs just before
the engine tries to start.
(the engine tries to crank and then the alarm goes off.)
Have checked the batteries and they're okay, all the electrical bits are
okay, my fear is that it might indicate solenoid, starter-motor or fuel
delivery (no fuel to injector?) problems.
Any ideas?
Renate Haupt
www.desertfoxoverland.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Renate,
Firstly it could be a dying battery, this is a symptom of not enough
power to the solenoid, check the batteries first, charge them up
overnight and try to start it next morning . Assuming the batteries to
be OK then I would suggest the solenoid, or starter motor contacts. If
you have not done it since you owned the car get a replacement contact
kit for the starter motor and fit it, it is a good insurance move.
Regards,
Clive Marks
Home: +44 1293 514600
Mobile: +44 7821 491897
Crawley, West Sussex, UK.

 

[Guest]

Hi Renate
Had the same problem with the loude machine gun noise when trying to start.
It was the battery, which gave no warning at all, so as you do I replaced
the 2 because 1 new and 1 old is a bad combination.
cheers
john 92HDJ 80 1HDT

 

[Guest]

Clive
Solenoid was replaced in 2003, as was the starter motor (that year was when
I had the major calamity occurring under my bonnet when I couldn't turn the
engine off - lost a lot of the electrics that day, plus had a fire as well
that melted/vapourised lots of stuff.
The batteries were charged very recently (10 days ago) as I was planning on
taking l'beast to the garage to have lots of things done on it over a period
of weeks - the next stage of my marathon re-prepping for north africa.
I will certainly check the solenoid and starter motor - thanks for this.
Renate Haupt
www.desertfoxoverland.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed] [mailto:[Email address removed]] On
Behalf Of Clive Marks
Sent: 31 May 2008 17:13
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: Re: [ELCO] Engine start-up problem
Renate,
Firstly it could be a dying battery, this is a symptom of not enough
power to the solenoid, check the batteries first, charge them up
overnight and try to start it next morning . Assuming the batteries to
be OK then I would suggest the solenoid, or starter motor contacts. If
you have not done it since you owned the car get a replacement contact
kit for the starter motor and fit it, it is a good insurance move.
Regards,
Clive Marks
Home: +44 1293 514600
Mobile: +44 7821 491897
Crawley, West Sussex, UK.

 

[Guest]

Renate,
10 days is long enough for the batteries to lose their charge if they
are faulty. So the next step is, get the batteries tested and if they are OK
change the alternator brushes.
Regards,
Clive Marks
Home: +44 1293 514600
Mobile: +44 7821 491897
Crawley, West Sussex, UK.