Temperamental starting 4g - please help!!!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:25 am

Hi all, I've done a search but haven't found anyone with the same problem as I'm currently experiencing and I hope someone can help!

Ok, so I turn my ignition on, dash lights up nice and bright, fuel pump primes as it should, turn the key to start position and ... "relatively loud click" nothing, try again ... "click" nothing, turn "click" nothing, turn "click" nothing, (this can go on for some time) turn "click" nothing, then suddenly, turn the key "veeerrrrry slow lazy turnover of the engine" and vroom!! WTF???? The click sounds like its coming from the starter motor or somewhere close to it in the engine bay.. Sometimes, however, it will fire on the first turn of the key, lazily every time, but it starts..

I have had a look at the earth strap on the starter motor, it seems to be bolted on tight enough but the cable itself doesn't seem very tightly braided, it feels almost baggy. I don't know what the symptoms of a bad earth are.

Could it be a dying battery?

Could it be a dying starter motor?

Could it be something else entirely??

Please help, I have about two hours in which to fix this problem this weekend.. altho if the world ends in an hour I'm wasting my time writing this post anyway!

Happy Doomsday/Christmas (delete as appropriate)
Adam

Post by **indigolemon** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:32 am

Dying battery would be my number one choice here, followed by duff starter motor.

The click will be the solenoid engaging the starter motor with the flywheel - then your starter isn't turning, so that's all your getting.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:34 am

Thanks mate, a new battery might just be the fastest fix ever!
Battery recommendations? Someone once told me to install the biggest diesel battery that will fit in the battery tray ..any thoughts on this suggestion?

Post by **indigolemon** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:59 am

Just get one with the right specs for the lude man. From what I understand, you may find Honda a good shout here (and cheaper than most places for one!).

Do you use your car a lot? If not, it could just be a charge issue. A wee trickle charger from Tesco is about £15 if you'd rather try that first. A battery will be around the sixty quid mark.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:04 am

I'm with Indigo on this one. Got my battery from Honda for £40.

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:13 am

^ Yup and they're bloody good batteries. Ours is about 5 years old and got run completely flat the other day (mrs left the lights and radio on while waiting at school - very bad for an old battery). I thought that would be the end of it but one jump start later and it's been fine ever since!

ziyaan · Post by **ziyaan** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:30 am

before you change battery, try filling up with de-ionised water first

also check battery terminals are on tight, take them off clean them and tighten well..

Post by **Merlin** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:35 am

bennyboy wrote:Got my battery from Honda for £40.

When was that? The last two I have got were £65 ish

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:39 am

Merlin wrote:
bennyboy wrote:Got my battery from Honda for £40.
When was that? The last two I have got were £65 ish

Probably 2 years ago now. It was actually £44, but he took £4 off

I assume it was to do with the whole Honda Happiness thing?

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:17 pm

After speaking to a man at Cornwall Batteries, he offered me an asskicker for £84.97 ..he says from my description it sounds as though the cold cranking amps have gone from my battery, but the voltage remains - what I forgot to ask is would a recharge boost the CCA's?

Telephoned Honda, they want £65 (+£20 to fit it!!! hahahaha)