Starting problem - won't turn over when hot

[Austin]

Hi all,

I have an odd starting problem and it's only, but not always, when the car has been running for a pre-longed period of time before hand. If I've stopped, turned off the engine, then go to start (generally within 20 minutes) I don't get anything, not even a click. Turn the key and naff all. But if I leave the car for around 20 minutes and try again, she fires up fine.

Any ideas?

Injection 1800 scala.

[bensspares]

have you recently removed/changed the cambelt ?????? or tinkered with the dizzy ??????????????????????? or checked the cam timming ????

[wasted]

Sounds like kickback - what Ben suggests makes sense, as it sounds like the engine timing is out (i.e. valves not opening synchronously with compression stroke - I think that makes sense!). Any recent changes?

[Austin]

Thanks for the swift replies.....

So doubt it's the cam belt given it was changed last year at 86k (now 115k). The dizzy hasn't been touched - I have changed the ignition leads, but it did it a couple of times before I did this (the previous ignition leads had done over 60K). The spark plugs have also been changed.

The engine runs fine, and got my usual 45+ mpg on the way back from Leeds. I don't kow, but why wouldn't the kickback not occur with a cold engine?

[wasted]

I have absolutely no idea... I get it occasionally on mine, but I've always put it down to the timing being very slightly out. I'll be resetting it soon; might be worth trying the same with yours maybe. Fairly easy to set - just rotate the distributor body to advance the timing until you get it to a setting where the engine will pink under hard acceleration, and then retard it so it just stops pinking. Worked pretty well for mine, and for various others on here.

[go-for-it1]

Sounds electrical to me and something being affected by heat soak. I would check all the connections on the starter motor and redo them after cleaning up with emery cloth. Also check the ignition switch connections are tight. Try waggling the key when trying to start it and see if this changes anything. Elementary I know but start with basics before delving into moving mechanical bits I always say

[ianaudia4]

Some ideas!


No electricity at starter motor - Battery discharged = Charge battery
Battery defective = Renew battery
Battery terminals loose or earth lead not secure = Check all connections
Starter motor switch or solenoid faulty = Test and replace components


Electricity at starter motor Starter motor pinion jammed with flywheel gear = put in gear and rock car
Starter brushes badly worn or brush wires loose = Replace brushes

[tinkerbel]

Check water in battery, or you have a dud battery.

[bensspares]

definatly kick back,check the cam timing,i guess you will find its a tooth out and the belt isnt set to the correct tension.

[markh]

Sounds electrical to me, if theres absolutely nothing at the key. Duff contact somewhere, or faulty starter, or ignition switch.

[Austin]

Sounds electrical to me and something being affected by heat soak. I would check all the connections on the starter motor and redo them after cleaning up with emery cloth. Also check the ignition switch connections are tight. Try waggling the key when trying to start it and see if this changes anything. Elementary I know but start with basics before delving into moving mechanical bits I always say

When the weather calms down a bit outside I'm going to go and clean all the connections / terminals and go from there I think. Basics first :)

Check water in battery, or you have a dud battery.

New battery!

[wasted]

Y'know, having re-read this, I'm going with electrical as well, mainly because of this:

I don't get anything, not even a click.

If it were kickback, you'd still hear the solenoid and starter motor engage before the engine failed to turn. So yeah, electrical - possibly a faulty starter motor where the failure is caused by heat? I had this with an alternator recently; admittedly not quite the same thing!

[bensspares]

i stood alone when i said it was wasted's alternator and after everyone had suggested otherwise it turned out i was right...lol.i still say the fault is with the cam timing and wait for the outcome.....if i am wrong then....oh well.

[Austin]

Update for this, I finally got round to looking at it, having been stuck at three petrol stations after filling up for over 15 mins!

So...Cleaned all the connections - still did it.
Have just changed the start motor - I knew I had a spare knocking around.

Someone else suggested it might actually be the ignition barrel, and has suggested if it does it again to try and be violent when turning the key!

[Nate]

what condition are the earth straps (not just their connections) in?

try lifting the key as you turn it - that's what frankenrocco and the passat that briefly replaced it both needed to start when warm