Last mechanical prob, starting the thing! Any pointers?

[Mellor]

Hi guys and gals,

Last problem I now have mechanically before I start work on the little cosmetic bits.

It's become a pain to start, only the first time of the day. When warm or cold after this throughout the day it will start as soon as you turn the key.

If you keep the car turning over you will not get anywhere. It is only the first poke that nearly starts. So first start of the day can take about half an hour. Just turning the key trying to fire it, then back off, and then again. Until it does finally, hopefully before you flatten the battery, fire on a poke. Always music to my ears Does this sound like a specific problem? I would have expected it to try and fire a few times when you hold it turning. I keep meaning to have a go in the dark and look for arcing of some sort.

I bought a large LandRover battery for it so you do get a lot of attempts.

I have taken off and cleaned the distributor and also tried wet start stuff around all areas connected to ignition. Does anyone share a similiar problem or could maybe point me in the right direction.

Thanks
Ian

[Jed-S]

Can't offer any S specific advice but had similar problems on a Westfield and it was a poor earth (or rather lack of earth lead) from engine/starter to chassis. This meant that it didn't turn over as fast and when fully cold it tooks a while to get it spining fast enough to fire.
Not sure where the earths are on our cars - not pulled mine apart yet.

J

[Mellor]

Thanks mate,

I will have to have a snoop and have a look. However this problem may be different as the engine turns over very fast, especially with the new battery. It just refuses to fire, only tries at the first poke.

I am thinking it is damp or extremely cold. As it fired straight up this morning. And I shall be out in it allday I think

[clarenceboddiger]

It may be worth checking the ignition switch,dont know what there off on the s but I have had 3 instances (2 on Minis ) whereby the ignition switch goes faulty causing the ignition circuit to break whilst the key is fully in the starter motor position,hence it tries to fire as you first turn it onto the starter then stops as you go fully onto the starter,you could prove this by putting a temporary feed to the ignition and turning the starter on the key,,hope that makes sense.

[Mellor]

Thanks for that,

That really makes sense. I will have to pull that off tommorow and get my self round scrap yards looking for one. Likely to be a Ford part I guess. I'm quite confident this could be the problem. I can't really test the method you said until poor weather comes. As in the warmth and dry it fires first poke.

Does anyone what this part is off? The car is an early S1 88 E reg, twin bonnet releases.

[steve j]

Also the main plastic ignition connector just under the steering console breaks down with age and heat causing high resistance, could be your problem. Simple fix! cut the fat red wire and re-connect with an inline crimp, the wires are soldered in the plug and of course a dry joint can`t be ruled out. Hope this helps, I had a starting problem and clivef showed me this problem, apparently it`s quite common on these.

[Mellor]

Thanks that is another thing to check,

I have taken off the plastic around the column and it seems this little modification has already been done. The fat red wire is now in a box connector and seems to be good. I am going to tidy all the wires up anyway to make sure.

I think it is back to the ignition switch. I have pulled it off today and it is a Ford part with the code B517X on it. I am going to go to the scrap yard tomorrow and have a look around old Ford's. Does anyone know which car this part might be off? Even random guesses would be good.

Thanks
Ian

[steve j]

Random guess, erm, ford escort, I recall escort somewhere before.

[Mellor]

Thanks once again,

From searching I have a bit of a list.

Mk3 Escort
Sierra
Transit
Sierra (Only German made )

[GreenV8S]

If it is the ignition switch, you could confirm that by showing a voltage drop across the switch while driving.

[clarenceboddiger]

Have you sorted it?? if so what was it??

[Mellor]

I believe so yes.

The switch itself seemed to be fine but there was a trace of burnt plastic around the box connector. Replaced that and it seems to be fine now. Although in this weather it would be anyway I think.

Thanks for eveyones help.