occasional starting problem (1098)

[timmo]

A few times when ive gone to start, the engine has turned over slowly like the battery is flat and too slow to start the engine. Had a play and noticed that the engine will spin fast when using just the solenoid but when you try starting with the key it turns over slowly. This only happens occasionaly, all connections are tight and clean

Any ideas what could be the problem?

Cheers Tim

[MarkyB]

Ignition switch?
If you have several tries with the key is it always the same?
I'd also check the engine block has a good earth to the body.

[timmo]

Thing is, once its started after the problem it starts fine every time....till it happens again

[bmcecosse]

Looks like a problem in the solenoid - contacts are perhaps dirty or the 'movement' is sticky and not making a very good connection.I would try to squirt in a bit of WD40 - or just try another solenoid.

[timmo]

I wondered if it might be the solennoid...Ive got a spare off an Ital, so will swap them over today......Then wait to see if it happens again

[Declan_Burns]

I had a similar problem so I bought a new solenoid. When I went to replace it I found the screws were loose. I tightened them up and put the new solenoid in the boot.
Regards

[timmo]

Well.. the Ital solenoid was knackered so couldn't try that...but crawled underneath and checked the engine earth again, seemed tight but checked the bolt anyway and done up a few turns more...so, hopefully that will have solved the problem...fingers crossed