Intermittent non-start on a 3.2

[coxy]

Hi all.

 

Long time since my last post.  All has been well since the rebuild however recently I have an intermittent none start.  Turn the key "click"  and nothing,  turn again and fires up no problem.  Doesn't do it every time just now and again.  Any ideas

[PeterK]

If it clicks when it doesn’t start, then most likely the starter solenoid.  Might be a dirty connection somewhere along the yellow wire, but my money would be on the solenoid.  That said, always worth checking the main engine earth wire while you’re in there.

[Strictly]

On 04/04/2025 at 07:22, coxy said:

Hi all.

 

Long time since my last post.  All has been well since the rebuild however recently I have an intermittent none start.  Turn the key "click"  and nothing,  turn again and fires up no problem.  Doesn't do it every time just now and again.  Any ideas

If you literally hear nothing at all then either the ignition switch or the solenoid or the wire from switch to solenoid. Start by looking at the electrical connection for corrosion on the solenoid or the ignition switch

If you hear a small "thunk" then the solenoid is working but the starter motor is not turning. That is different, in which case look at main earth and or main connection from battery to starter motor

[TBP]

I'd check your battery, I had an issue with mine last year, which I thought was the ignition switch. Changed it ans problems persisted, turned-out that a new battery solved it.

[Strictly]

 

3 hours ago, TBP said:

I'd check your battery, I had an issue with mine last year, which I thought was the ignition switch. Changed it ans problems persisted, turned-out that a new battery solved it.

Now that you mention it, that is a good thought and jogged my memory.

i had that on a vw santana back in the day, it seemed like the starter/solenoid. My battery was showing 12.6 so no reason to suspect it, but sure enough going full circle i ended up putting a new battery in and that did fix it. 

That was back in the day before all these fancy battery tests things. So good idea above, hoke your battery out and get it tested as a baseline. You can normally get it tested for free at halfords or etc and they give you a report on it

[Pablo]

I have the same issue. I’ve fitted a new battery recently (since the symptom  started) and was going to look at the electrical connections next, starting with the engine to body earth.

How easy is it to get to the starter with the car on axle stands?

Edited May 13, 2025 by Pablo

[johndglynn]

Pretty easy but use big steady stands as that is a lot of weight you are under. If you can put a wheel under the rear tyre that is safer if you only have small stands.

[Phill]

17 hours ago, Pablo said:

I have the same issue. I’ve fitted a new battery recently (since the symptom  started) and was going to look at the electrical connections next, starting with the engine to body earth.

How easy is it to get to the starter with the car on axle stands?

Partial engine drop helps a lot.

[PeterK]

17 hours ago, Pablo said:

I have the same issue. I’ve fitted a new battery recently (since the symptom  started) and was going to look at the electrical connections next, starting with the engine to body earth.

How easy is it to get to the starter with the car on axle stands?

Depends on how your axle stands get the car

The body earth is just forward of the gearbox cross-member on the rhs.

With the starter, I access the electrical connections and the lower bolt (barrel nut) from the rhs but find it easier to reach over the top of the gearbox from the lhs to get to the top barrel nut.

If you’re removing the electrical connections, double check that you’ve disconnected the battery first

Edited May 14, 2025 by PeterK

[angusb]

How easy is it to get to the starter with the car on axle stands?

 

If you have them, some small drive up ramps, or blocks of wood are preferable to axle stands. If do you use axle stands at the rear, make sure they are positioned  underneath the inboard section of the torsion bar tube , not underneath the torsion bar tube end in the wheel arch.

 Irrespective , have second solid something  sunderneath as a saftey catch.

[Phill]

On 14/05/2025 at 06:51, PeterK said:

but find it easier to reach over the top of the gearbox from the lhs to get to the top barrel nut.

Tell it as it is Peter, hugging the tranny  we’ve all been there