Non Starter

[Bazzer]

Could somebody please help with a starting problem.
Having just been out on a few day trips with the car running fine I wrapped her up in the garage, went to go out in her today and found she would not start.
The fuel pump and all the usuals kick into life on turning the ignition on but when you take the key to the start position there is nothing at all except a dimming of the dash charging lights.
No sound at all comes from the starter solenoid or the starter motor, could some one tell me where to start looking first, and what happens if the red starter relay under the hood goes, could it be this?.

Many thanks Baz

 

[chris.hevey]

I had similar symptoms with mine. To cut a long story short, I ended up replacing the six year old battery with a new one.

My plan was to keep the new battery tip top by using a solar panel, £40 from Maplins, which plugged into the cigarette lighter to float charge the battery - the idea being to prevent the battery "sulphating" when the car's not in use for extended periods. However I was alarmed to see the speedo leap to about 40mph when I plugged it in, so I have not risked using it yet, as I suspect this is due to dodgy wiring in the dash also caused by cheap alarm installations and other bodging over the years.

The fortunate result is that I have to take the car out for a blast at least once a week. One of the guys in the region said this was preferred option anyway as it also pumped oil around, thus helping with the seals etc. Although he also knows his batteries - ex-merchant navy radio officer - and said the float charge idea would help keep the battery in top form.

 

[Bazzer]

Thank's guy's I will take off the battery and charge this up first before looking any further.

Thyanks Baz

 

[Bazzer]

Once again the forum has saved a lot of time and money, it appears to be the battery and nothing more sinister.
once again many thank's Baz

 

[cramond]

I had an intermittent starting problem that turned out to be the rotor arm I think it was. Car would start 90% of the time but then sometimes not - esp when the engine was warm. It took a couple of garage visits to sort

 

[dij999]

My SC had the same regular problem - all I got was the starter solenoid click. It only happened when it was warm (twice embarrassingly when stopped for fuel and there was a queue behind). I repeatedly checked cables connections, removed starter and never found anything amiss. For a short while it would seem OK only to resurface after a good run when it was quite warm. Only solved after changing the starter motor completely,

DJ

 

[sib8292]

Thanks both

Its not to do with ignition (so not rotor arm or anything else in the ignition circuit) nor fuelling.

The problem is a bit like Phils except we don't even get the solenoid click when the problem occurs. What really gets my wife is that it never happens when I drive the car - and on two occasions she has called me out from home to sort out the problem and the car has started for me! This does not improve our relationship nor hers with the car...

I think I am going to try a new starter/solenoid; any ideas for upgrades?
.