P38A Strange starting problems

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J L Carr

J L Carr

Active Member
Posts
360
Location
Hemel Hempsted
Hi Guys, I have a strange starting problem with the old girl, the car has stood for 10 days and went out this morning and she fired up no problems drove to Pets at home that's about 5 miles away parked it up and took the dog to the groomers, then took a walk to halfords to get some brake fluid for my son came back to the car so started it up to get the air con working while I was waiting. Sat there for about 15 minutes with the engine running then switched it off to go and get the dog, came out opened it up put the dog in the back and got in turned the key and all I got was a very slow engine turn over then nothing, managed to get a jump that took all of 5 seconds to start the car. Drove home and had a look at the voltage coming out of the battery and that's around 13.2 started the car no problems and put everything on and getting a reading of 13.74 and it stayed there, switched the car off and on over 5 times and it started OK. Any ideas as the only thing I can come up with is a bad starter motor connection. Thanks. Oh as it's a 4.0L with a 72 amp battery could I fit a 110 amp that's off my motorhome to use for now.
 
If you mean a leisure battery, they are no good as a starter battery. Those are designed for small load over a long time, lights, fridge etc. A starter battery is designed for high load over a short time ie the starter motor
 
J L Carr said:
Hi Guys, I have a strange starting problem with the old girl, the car has stood for 10 days and went out this morning and she fired up no problems drove to Pets at home that's about 5 miles away parked it up and took the dog to the groomers, then took a walk to halfords to get some brake fluid for my son came back to the car so started it up to get the air con working while I was waiting. Sat there for about 15 minutes with the engine running then switched it off to go and get the dog, came out opened it up put the dog in the back and got in turned the key and all I got was a very slow engine turn over then nothing, managed to get a jump that took all of 5 seconds to start the car. Drove home and had a look at the voltage coming out of the battery and that's around 13.2 started the car no problems and put everything on and getting a reading of 13.74 and it stayed there, switched the car off and on over 5 times and it started OK. Any ideas as the only thing I can come up with is a bad starter motor connection. Thanks. Oh as it's a 4.0L with a 72 amp battery could I fit a 110 amp that's off my motorhome to use for now.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a bad connection or the starter motor solenoid is on it's way out.
No harm fitting the 110 amp if it will fit but whatever you do make sure you connect the right way round or you will end up with a giant paper weight:eek:
 
kermit_rr said:
If you mean a leisure battery, they are no good as a starter battery. Those are designed for small load over a long time, lights, fridge etc. A starter battery is designed for high load over a short time ie the starter motor
Click to expand...
It's out of a motor home, so I assumed it's a starter battery, could be wrong of course.
 
kermit_rr said:
If you mean a leisure battery, they are no good as a starter battery. Those are designed for small load over a long time, lights, fridge etc. A starter battery is designed for high load over a short time ie the starter motor
Click to expand...
It's not a leisure battery as it came off a show truck our club had till it got trashed by squatters and I was given it for my motorhome but
it won't fit in the battery bay. My RR is petrol and that's the same type 72amp that was fitted when I got the car over 15 years ago, so have just keep to the same type over the years.
 
J L Carr said:
It's not a leisure battery as it came off a show truck our club had till it got trashed by squatters and I was given it for my motorhome but
it won't fit in the battery bay. My RR is petrol and that's the same type 72amp that was fitted when I got the car over 15 years ago, so have just keep to the same type over the years.
Click to expand...
If you need to replace the battery, bigger is better, the MF31-1000 fits and gives a greater margin for battery drain.
 
Datatek said:
Sounds like a bad connection or the starter motor solenoid is on it's way out.
No harm fitting the 110 amp if it will fit but whatever you do make sure you connect the right way round or you will end up with a giant paper weight:eek:
Click to expand...
Hi Datatek. Yes it will fit and the terminals are the right way around so no messing with the wires, so dodgy starter solenoid or starter motor, it's strange alike I said the jump was, plus leads on walk to the car window turn the key and that was it, the car started. But then home and it's starting no problems, I'll check it out tomorrow as I'll have more time to mess with the starter and solenoid to see if it's that. Thanks.
 
J L Carr said:
Hi Datatek. Yes it will fit and the terminals are the right way around so no messing with the wires, so dodgy starter solenoid or starter motor, it's strange alike I said the jump was, plus leads on walk to the car window turn the key and that was it, the car started. But then home and it's starting no problems, I'll check it out tomorrow as I'll have more time to mess with the starter and solenoid to see if it's that. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Check the earth strap from engine to chassis, a common failure item.
 
Nope always connect 1to the battery (plus) and the negative to a point on the engine, that saves blasting hell out of the battery, even when keeping my motorbikes on charge it's 1 battery and an earthing point. I learned that lesson long ago as it cost me a few quid to replace 2 battery at the same time. LOL.
 
J L Carr said:
Nope always connect 1to the battery (plus) and the negative to a point on the engine, that saves blasting hell out of the battery, even when keeping my motorbikes on charge it's 1 battery and an earthing point. I learned that lesson long ago as it cost me a few quid to replace 2 battery at the same time. LOL.
Click to expand...
So you bypassed the earth strap from engine to chassis.
 
Datatek said:
Exactly so:)
Click to expand...
Checked the earth strap from the battery to the mount then down to the engine and all is good with them,but did not get the chance to look at the starter solenoid or starter wires, will try tomorrow. Car starting no problems with the big battery and sounds smother for some strange reason,so hopefully get around to looking around the starter.
 
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