RR 4.2 V8 LSE non starter

Hi; finally purchased a RR Classic and loving every minute. '93k with 103k miles and solid history .... even got the original 'tax applied for' disc.

Anyway went to fire her up this morning and nothing; a slight click initially then nothing at all when I tried again. Left it for a few minutes and still nothing happening, so checked all the connections; no change.

First time it's happened and had no problems starting beforehand. Battery's fine, all lights working and can hear the pump so suspect either starter motor or alternator.

Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks.

If your lights aren't dimming then I would suspect starter motor or solenoid, also check power cables the starter. The clicking will be the solenoid.

Sometimes if you give the starter a good clout it may free it off

Thanks jailon; they're not dimming, so will have a look at that first.

Cheers

and check inhibitor switch on transmission.

Daft suggestion I know but make sure the car is in park - won`t start in any other gear.
Then see if its the immobiliser - if you have a working spare key fob use that instead of the one you normally use. The check the battery - 4.2 LSE`s take a lot of battery power to fire up - if you can get it tested then do so, even if the lights are`nt dimming. I had a new 550 amp battery on mine in January and ended up swapping it under guarantee - faulty batch of batteries (Halfords). Then starter motor , then alternator. Mine was stupidly sensitive to the alternator being very slightly out of alignment, so not charging.
There are a lot of complicated electrics on the 4.2 LSE, ad the newest car is going to be 17 years old, so might be worth having a trustworthy independent run a multi-meter over it

Thanks for the tips; fully aware of the need to start in park but appreciate the heads-up. The RR was previously owned by an independent, although sadly not too local. Got a mate who knows a thing or two about these but sadly away at the moment. Cheers

Just a quick update; turned out to be the battery in the end, not holding enough power. All fine now and thanks again for the advice. :car:

nice, easy fix!

Sure was Fett, thanks! Let's not talk about the nasty knocking sound that's just started to happen on full steering lock ..... oh well, on with the next thing!!

it never ends with these mate :doh:

my solution would be not to use full lock

try checking the negative cables that go to the main battery negative, undo the tape and look for green verdgree corroded cables, i renewewed all mine with a mains connection block

hi. sorry i said negative instead of posative, found most wires coroded that go to the main battery terminal and the one feed to the ignition switch open circuit,BROKE DOWN HALF A MILE FROM HOME,, RAC CALLED OUT, TOWED THE RANGY HOME, TOOK ME 2 DAYS TO FIND THE FAULT.. HOPE THIS HELPS

fett said:

it never ends with these mate :doh:

my solution would be not to use full lock

Click to expand...

I concur ^^^

Seem to have the battery issues resolved thanks David!

Fett and Mike .... sound advice thanks ..... have decided to avoid turning right altogether which seems to have done the trick with the knocking noise!!

:crazy_driver:

good man- tis the landy way!