Dodgy Starting.

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:23 am

Having slight starting problems with my 56 minor. If the car is idle for a day or more, and I go to start her running in to problems. I get about two attempts from the starter ..and if she dosen't start straight away then its out with the starting handle. The starter pull out..becomes completely non responsive..but is fine again when started with the starter handle.
Any help appreciated.

Post by **ColinP** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:38 am

I'd suggest one of two things...

a) Charge the battery, then monitor the charge using a hydrometer

b) Consider replacing the battery!

It sounds as if the battery isn't holding its charge (just enought for a couple of pulls on the starter, then probably not enough for the spark). The cause may be a little more complicated than just a replacement battery.
If you do short mileage, or the dynamo isn't giving full output you'll have the same symptoms. First off, try charging the battery and monitoring the charge. If it drops off without any use of the car (and all the electrics are off), it's most likely battery.

Colin

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:56 am

I was thinking its the battery to be honest..
I have a 20 amp battery charger..and have charged the life of that battery..
Is there a stage you can get to on batterys where they generally give up..
?
Think I might for a new battery...

Is there a lot more battery charge needed to pull starter than actually use other car functions...ie wipers lights etc ?
Thanks,.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:01 am

Is there a stage you can get to on batterys where they generally give up..

Yes, they don't last forever. Some people get 4-6 years out of them, some a BIT longer but not much usually.

Is there a lot more battery charge needed to pull starter than actually use other car functions...ie wipers lights etc ?

Yes, the starter motor is the largest single consumer of current on a Moggy (and most if not all cars in general).

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:29 am

Thanks Lads

Unfortunatly, the problem is back...I got a new Battery...Shoved her in..Yes I thought..Untill this morning..Out with the starting handle again.
Luckily she started first turn on that. But [EDITED - PLEASE DON'T SWEAR]...its playing havoc with my happiness.
One go to start...and if fails ...good luck to ya.

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:48 am

Ok,

so it's not the battery (unless you've been unlucky).

1) Have you got a garage near you that can do you a dynamo/alternator charging test? If so, talk them into doing one and let us know the results.

New batteries are usually supplied about 1/2 charged (or less), so they need to be charged up by the car's system. If that isn't happening, the battery will be low charge.

2) Do you have anything that could be "on" overnight and draining power? (e.g. radio in standby, etc)?

3) the output of a battery is reduced when it's cold - what sort of temperatures are you getting (for interest - a good system should cope!).

Colin

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:15 am

Thanks Colin P.

1) I can bring it somone allright...to have a look.. re dynamo-alternator.

2) Nothing in the car that would cause drainage.,.No Radio.. basic out to be honest.

Thanks,

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:38 am

I know this sounds obvious but when it does not start you dont get a clicking sound do you, as that indicates that the starter is jamming.

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:47 am

No Sound at all Kevin ! To quote Simon and Garfuncle.." The Sound of Silence "

It is deffinetly power-Battery related as After a mild run she is fine ...it appears that over ten or so hours of activity she gets sick again.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:51 am

No Sound at all Kevin ! To quote Simon and Garfuncle.." The Sound of Silence "

Oh - well the relay should click.... Doh!

A 56 won't have a relay!

Are you sure it is not poor contacts on the pull switch? Maybe they get very hot due to poor contact (or poor contact between the leads and the connector) and that is what prevents anything from happeneing after 1 or 2 attempts?

To remove the switch and wire from the equation, you could connect a jump lead between the battery and the starter to see if that makes it go.

Post by **56 Splitscreen** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:57 am

The starter....can also be started from inside the engine cover..
Little.. switch on the back of it... that cranks her up..
This fails to work as well ubnless she has been driven for a while..

The Cables to hook up battery ! Do you think that may be a factor..
They are Tender looking to say the least.. !

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:03 pm

Do you think that may be a factor..
They are Tender looking to say the least.. !

Yes - the battery cable needs to be in good order. If there are lots of broken strands at the battery terminal this is going to cause problems (too much current in the remaining few strands = getting hot fairly quicklyt = high resistance = less power getting through)

Post by **Gareth** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:28 pm

Just as an aside - The Sound of Silence was written about Lucas electrics you know...

Consider the facts: "Hello darkness my old friend", "sound of silence"

;)

Sounds like you need to start at the very beginning - check the dynamo is charging and check/replace the battery leads. Working methodically should sort the problem out, and anything you replace now won't need replacing again, in theory!