Not always starting...

[xlollx]

My moggy usually starts perfectly first time but in the last week it's been having some problems and today lots of problems! Boyfriend used it the other day and mentioned how it took him 5 attempts to start the car. I went to use it today and had the same problem.

My first attempt, had the choke fully out and the engine wouldn't turn over. Second attempt, turned the key and absolutely nothing. I'd turn the ignition, hear a clicking noise but nothing. I waited for a while and after about 8 times at getting nothing, the engine turned so I quickly put my foot on accelerator and off I went. No problems at all. Only drove around the block but not problems.

Any ideas of problems? Ignition? My boyfriend did mention he let the petrol run till nearly empty before refueling so I was wondering if it's scraped rust/dirt up. Grrr. However, it was doing this problem before with full tank of petrol.

[mike.perry]

If the engine will not turn over or turns over slowly it is either a flat/knackered battery, faulty starter motor or electrical connections/earth leads.
Try a good battery, jump leads, checking battery cables or the starting handle.
You should not need full choke this time of the year

[StaffsMoggie]

As above, clean up the battery connections, check its actually being charged by the dynamo, are the starter motor cable connections clean and tight? solenoid working ok? If the battery is definately good, try another starter motor.

[chesney]

Is the gearbox earth attached? If something like the throttle cable is warm that is a telltale sign. It's worth adding another earth anyway, solved my starting problem but the symptoms were different to yours..

[bmcecosse]

Almost certainly a flat battery - tighten the fan belt! Does the red light go out when the engine is running?

[MarkyB]

Instruct your boyfriend in the correct starting procedure and get him to buy you a battery charger!
As it's fairly warm you shouldn't need full choke.
A run round the block is unlikely to recharge the battery very much.

[Dominic]

A run round the block will nowhere near replace the charge to the battery that the starter used, especially with a dynamo. You'd need to take it on say a 10 mile run minimum to get the battery fully charged up.