Starter Problem

[StephenWicks]

Occasionally, when I turn the key, there is just an audible click.

The car starts OK at the second attempt.

My local OPC have tested the battery and say it is healthy and that the fault is with the starter motor. But, as the problem is intermittent, no action is required at the moment.

Anyone had a similar problem?

 

[BrianJ]

Clutch interlock switch (if manual) or ignition switch?

 

[Boxstercol]

Clutch switch is fairly common by all accounts, there's a big thread going on within the Porsche PistonHeads forum about this. Apparently there us a recall for it on certain models.

 

[StephenWicks]

Thanks guys, food for thought, didn't realise this was so common.

Will take this up with my OPC.

Cheers!

 

[Motorhead]

Steve,

Just to say that you should get a "Depress Clutch" message if there's a clutch interlock switch fault.

As your PC have said, it's more likely that there's an intermittent fault with the starter motor or its circuit.

Jeff

 

[lamboman]

I have had a similar problem on my GT3.

To get the car to start, I had to remove, lock, unlock and reinsert the key (sometimes more than once).

The clutch pedal switch was replaced which seem to cure the problem .. but the problem reappeared later.

My battery (9 months old) then died, and in the process of recovery, the key was stuck in the ignition.

Turns out that there was a problem with the ignition (key) barrel (it was not shutting off or coming on properly) which over time killed the battery. I had noticed that the starter seemed to be getting weaker (it was the battery getting weaker).

With new battery and new ignition barrel, all is well, and has been for 3 weeks. Starter motor is almost ferocious by comparison.

The ignition barrel makes sense as the culprit as taking out the key and re inserting it (sometimes a few times) would start the car.

 

[T24RES]

If the audible click is from the starter i'd agree with the OPC

 

[BrianJ]

It's not always true that you get a "Depress Clutch" message if the clutch interlock switch is failing. I had two which failed, neither of which showed this message for several months of intermittently causing the starter not to work, which is why the OPC needlessly changed the ignition switch the first time which made no difference whatsoever. Eventually when the thing was just about driving me mad the "Depress Clutch" message came up once and the OPC gave in. The second time was just the same.

 

[Glyn]

There would be no click if the interlock switch was the problem.
Why do people that haven't the faintest idea of what goes on inside an engine offer such rubbish opinions?


The click is likely to be the solenoid on the starter motor, the solenoid once activated pushes a steel rod which moves the pinion into mesh with the starter ring, This area of the motor does get clogged up with clutch debris, If someone has lubricated the starter previously it attracts dust and this makes a sludge, this sludge prevents the pinion fully engaging with the starter ring.

Its only when the pinion is fully engaged that the power is connected to the starter motor, repeat attempts at starting moves the sludge just enough to allow the electrical contact to be made after achieving the full pinion travel.

The "click" is the solenoid activating. (So the clutch switch must be working)

Remove the starter and wash the pinion and solenoid connecting rod with petrol, air dry for an hour then refit (no lubricant - don't put anything on the workings) And all will be well.

 

[stevenewman33]

[]