Not starting - as if the battery was flat

[Blue-Lightning]

Took the T350 out several weeks ago, after 10 miles I stopped for 5 minutes, went to restart and the engine would hardly turn over. Assumed I had a problem with the battery.

Removed the battery, recharged it and had it checked and all was fine. So thought it may be the alternator not charging the battery.

Today I got the chance to put the fully charged battery back in.

Went to start the car, everything seemed normal, fuel pump primed, turned the ingnition on and the engined only just turned over, was like the battery was flat again, but the pod display readout showed 13.2v. Tried it a couple of times and still the same.

Then I noticed some smoke coming from the front of the engine bay. Had a quick look but couldnt see where it was coming from, but the only thing that i could see at the front was the cable from the battery, so I assume this is overheating when turning the engine over.

One worrying thing is, I checked the oil level, and there is nothing in the front tank. The car is up on axle stands at the front, so would it have all drained back into the engine? Or do I have a serious problem? The oil level was checked when I last took the car out and it was normal, it has only done about 10 miles since then.

Any ideas?

[GreenV8S]

Probably either a loose connection at the starter motor, or a poor earth.

[TVR Dan]

You have to have a warm engine just after you turn the engine off so i'm guessing if the car ain't starting you won't be able to get acorrect reading anyway? i may be wrong? but thought that was how it worked

[Big Al.]

Don't forget to check the 100 amp fuse, a problem with this give similar results to a dodgy alternator.

[Blue-Lightning]

GreenV8S said:

Probably either a loose connection at the starter motor, or a poor earth.

The problem was the earth connection between the chassis and engine block, it had corroded.

It is working again now, so just got to put it all back together.

Thanks guys for the help.

Edited by Blue-Lightning on Monday 24th November 15:25

[Buffoon]

If you still have problemes you can fit a heavier duty starter. Got info off Tuscan forum.

I'm fitting one on Saturday, as mine hates starting when hot, so will let you know how I get on.

[T450t]

Blue-Lightning said:

do I have a serious problem?

Well reading pistonheads could turn you into a paranoid quivering wreck thinking every tiny noise is the engine imploding.

Apart from that there is nothing wrong with you.

[Daston]

I have a simular problem with mine, did yours start if you bliped the throttal when turning the key?

Are there any guides on replacing the earth? I heard it can lead to some nasty problems (ie fire) and might be worth a look just incase

[Blue-Lightning]

Daston said:

I have a simular problem with mine, did yours start if you bliped the throttal when turning the key?

Are there any guides on replacing the earth? I heard it can lead to some nasty problems (ie fire) and might be worth a look just incase

No it wouldn't start at all, was hardly turning over.
The earth that I had the problem with was the one that goes from the engine block to the chassis. It had corroded at the chassis end. So disconnect it, cleaned it up, cleaned the chassis up and removed some of the powder coating so that there was good contact, replaced the earth, tightend the nut and it started first time.