starting problem

[docgibbons]

i have a starting issue i can't quite put my finger on. it usually fires up first thing in the morning, but sometimes, if the old girl requires a second pull on the starter, it just gives off a faint thud - as though the battery is totally flat. If i then put the battery on charge it immediately lights up as 75 per cent charged, and the fully charged light appears within five to ten minutes max. And she then fires up first time. And the battery tester indicates that the battery, while nearly three years old now, is absolutely fine. So does anyone have an idea of what it might be? Starter motor maybe? It's a pull start 1958 moggie if that's relevant.

[philthehill]

It could be either dodgy commutator / worn brushes inside the starter motor or a poor earth.

[Trickydicky]

To check the battery, use a meter to check the voltage drop across the battery while starting. I have replaced my battery recently as it would fail to start the car after more than 3 pulls on the starter.
Bought mine from here, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-Car-Bat ... Swu4BV6xG2
And collected it from my local depot the same day.

[ianmack]

I'd hazard a guess at a poor contact in the pull start switch. Mine plays up like that occasionally, especially if it hasn't been used for a while. The switch doesn't dismantle for cleaning but working it seems to help.

[bmcecosse]

I'm not too sure about trusting the 75% full indications etc - but certainly after one attempt at starting I would not expect the battery to be 25% depleted...or to recover to 'full' after 5 minutes of charging - unless you have a high rate charger. And even at 75% I would hope for more than a 'thud' from the starter.. So I rather suspect the battery - but all other tips re connections etc are well worth checking first - including the lead connection to the starter itself.

[docgibbons]

problem resolved, it was the battery after all. I decided to get a second opinion from my local garage (the initial battery test which came back ok was at one of those tyre and battery specialist places) and the garage mechanic pronounced the battery knackered. Adding that it was a "poor make". The mechanic initially started it first time, turned it off, started it again - this time with a struggle - turned it off again, and by the third pull on the starter it was flat. no idea why the initial test at the tyre and battery place pronounced it ok, or why my trickle charger suggested it was fully charged after just a short time plugged in, but all fine now, and thanks for the suggestions.

[bmcecosse]

The battery easily takes a 'surface charge' -which will show a good voltage on no load. The trick is to switch on say the headlights - and watch how quickly the volts drop away.

[docgibbons]

good tip, thanks.