I've had this problem for quite a long time - it only happens occasionally but somethimes you get in the car, turn the key, ignition comes on..... then turn to start and all the lights on the dash go out. Nothing else happens

 

Now when I have had this problem I tend to go through a sequence of getting out of the car, locking the doors, wait a little bit, unlock and repeat the procedure until eventually it works

 

Now today I got back from the gym and had to park on the opposite side of the road while i moved my van. I didn't lock the car. When i tried to start it It would not (as described in the first paragraph)

 

I went through all the usual proceedure, get out, lock, unlock in, start etc.... but this time the problem was really stubborn

 

I thought i would just lock the car and leave it until tomorrow...... then i remembered a year or so ago I had this same problem with the car parked outsied the house. On that occasion I did leave the car until the next day and it made no difference. I remembered on that occassion I eventually did 'something' to jolt the car or something like that and then the problem cleared.

 

So I let the car roll back a bit (I live on a slight hill) and then pulled the hndbrake to 'jolt' the car. Did this twice made no difference.

 

Then it came to me :detective:

 

Last time I had this stupid immobiliser issue that would not clear, I 'jolted' the car by putting it in gear, dipping the clutch, letting it roll back a yard or two then take my foot of the clutch suddenly

 

So I tried that - and voila, I turn the key and the car started first time

 

Now this has me thinking..... maybe this is nothing to do with the immobiliser at all and never was? Could it be something to do with the starter motor?

 

Oh, if it is relevant I have another occasional problem, every now and then when I try to start the car it goes KCHRRRRRR (yeah spelt just like that lol) but on the second time or maybe the third it starts fine. That happened yesterday when I had just been to the hand car wash to get the car cleaned whilst simultaneously doing my bit to support the local illegal imigrant population

 

Rich

Edited May 5, 201411 yr by dicky96

Check to see if the starter is tight, a common issue on the manual gearbox is the starter motor fixings strip the threads and sometimes even fall off!!.

 

 

Jeff

Check to see if the starter is tight, a common issue on the manual gearbox is the starter motor fixings strip the threads and sometimes even fall off!!.

 

 

Jeff

 

Mine did exactly that, lower ones half stripped. Gotta helicoil it some when.

I agree with the starter from a majority of the symptoms but as his lights are dimming/going out when cranking, it sounds to me more like a battery issue or earth issue?

I'd be inclined to check the charge and re-grease/tighten the battery terminals.

Hi JOely - I know what you mean but it's not like that sort of problem where the lights go dim becuse there is insufficient battery power. Once it allows me to turn the engine over it cranks very fast and starts after a second or less. I will test your suggestion next time I have this problem by turning on the headlights and see if that causes the dash lights to dim or go off. That would prove or disprove the possibility of a dodgy battery terminal I would hope

 

Hi Jeff - is your advice re: the starting problem or re: the occasional times when the starter moter does not engage properly and makes that horrible KCHRRR sound instead? Or re both problems?

 

Cheers

Rich

 

Hi Jeff - is your advice re: the starting problem or re: the occasional times when the starter moter does not engage properly and makes that horrible KCHRRR sound instead? Or re both problems?

 

Cheers

Rich

 

 

Potentially all of both problems, a loose starter might not be earthing well sometimes, a loose starter will also not always engage on the flywheel causing crunching sound.

 

Jeff

You may also have some teeth worn on the starter ring gear.