Firstly I have a Red Top 25 battery fitted. When I first installed it (2009), it worked just fine but sometimes, the engine won’t turn over – you just hear the solenoid click and the instrument lights dim. On occasion, when this happens the solenoid sticks on. Other times, the engine will turn straight away and start just fine. Or it can start just fine and the starter stays on with the engine running. My gut feeling is that I think I may need a larger battery with more Cranking Amps. Or do I need to strip the starter down and give it a good clean? Is that even possible?

 

Any opinions welcome.

Your battery seems past its useful use date, normally 3 years or 5 depending on condition. Get yourself a 70amo battery and clean the connections on the starter and you shouldnt have a problem again for another few years.

If your battery hasnt been charged much by use, its likely the cells have lost there oomph.

Mine does this after I've left the car for a fortnight or so, it's simply not got enough charge. May well be worth testing the battery to see if holds charge, sounds like it's past it's sale by though doesn't it.

Thanks guys for confirming my thoughts....

 

Should I get another 25 or a bigger 30...?

25 will probably be fine once you start using the car more regularly, but before you spend out, i would charge the battery and see if it holds.

I take it its a sealed unit so you cant check the cell level?

yes, its sealed. next time it happens, i'll jump start from another car and if the problem goes away....that should confirm things.

Have read the original thread a few times just to be sure on this as I think maybe the answer`s so far are based on a mis-diagnosis.

 

The op suggests that sometimes the engine start ok but sometimes after the engine starts the starter remains engaged this is clearly a starter fault, the non start fault could be a bad connection at the solenoid connection or the contact points or in fact the battery/ battery terminal but remaining engaged when the engine has started is a starter fault, the pre-engage solenoid / assembly dog may need a good clean if not just change the starter not the battery.

 

Jeff TT

Have read the original thread a few times just to be sure on this as I think maybe the answer`s so far are based on a mis-diagnosis.

 

The op suggests that sometimes the engine start ok but sometimes after the engine starts the starter remains engaged this is clearly a starter fault, the non start fault could be a bad connection at the solenoid connection or the contact points or in fact the battery/ battery terminal but remaining engaged when the engine has started is a starter fault, the pre-engage solenoid / assembly dog may need a good clean if not just change the starter not the battery.

 

Jeff TT

 

Thats a good point Jeff, the starter does stick on. When this happens, if you turn the engine off, the starter keeps cranking the engine. now my thinking is that the solenoid is sticking some how because the battery amps are not enough for a clean start and it some how over heats and sticks. Im not sure and think that the starter could do with being checked out. Is it possible to strip the starter down for a good clean?

Thats a good point Jeff, the starter does stick on. When this happens, if you turn the engine off, the starter keeps cranking the engine. now my thinking is that the solenoid is sticking some how because the battery amps are not enough for a clean start and it some how over heats and sticks. Im not sure and think that the starter could do with being checked out. Is it possible to strip the starter down for a good clean?

 

No the starter is sticking, don`t get hooked up on the battery low amps, the solenoid on the starter has two functions, one is to actually transfer the power to the starter motor winding`s and the second is to act on the dog gear that engages the starter on to the flywheel, its quite possible that an issue with the ignition switch could be keeping the start signal on even when the key is off, however with the other issues that show up at different times the starter is the most suspect culprit.

 

 

Jeff TT

No the starter is sticking, don`t get hooked up on the battery low amps, the solenoid on the starter has two functions, one is to actually transfer the power to the starter motor winding`s and the second is to act on the dog gear that engages the starter on to the flywheel, its quite possible that an issue with the ignition switch could be keeping the start signal on even when the key is off, however with the other issues that show up at different times the starter is the most suspect culprit.

 

 

Jeff TT

 

Right, thanks. Next job, strip the starter......:blink:

Jeff don't you also get the same symptoms with a start motor relay fault? Starter sticking on once the car is started, sometimes hesitant to start?

Jeff don't you also get the same symptoms with a start motor relay fault? Starter sticking on once the car is started, sometimes hesitant to start?

 

The starter relay can on very rare occasion give trouble, but the op mentioned the starter solenoid sometimes operating without the starter actually engaging and on other times the lights dimming but no starts, on the balance of the details to hand the starter is most suspect.

 

Jeff TT

The starter relay can on very rare occasion give trouble, but the op mentioned the starter solenoid sometimes operating without the starter actually engaging and on other times the lights dimming but no starts, on the balance of the details to hand the starter is most suspect.

 

Jeff TT

 

Starter changed, problem gone, well so far so good. Thanks Jeff for your advice and direction on this. Solved the problem for £30!

didn't see this the first time, glad you got it sorted. I ran a red top 20 for a few years, has plenty of cranking amps, but if it doesn't start the first few go's it's done for and will need a jump. Starter sticking is another matter as you guys figured.