Any ideas about my odd starting problem....?

[matt5791]

So I've sorted a lot of problems on my car (1996 continental R), but we haven't given much thought to an annoying issue: When starting the car there is a delay between turning the key to start, and the engine actually turning over and starting.

- if the car hasn't been used for some time (eg. 3 weeks) the delay is very long, say, 90 seconds.
- if the car is in use (eg. staring up after visiting a petrol station) then the pause is short, say, 5 seconds.
- Occasionally there is no pause
- if I have put the battery on charge, then the pause is short
- the battery is a recent one

Initially I thought this was an issue related to the neutral start micro switch, but I'm pretty certain it's something to do with a poor connection or cable or something in the high current circuit.

Anyone got any thoughts or ideas? I'd really like to solve this problem myself.

[Byteme]

matt5791 said:

So I've sorted a lot of problems on my car (1996 continental R), but we haven't given much thought to an annoying issue: When starting the car there is a delay between turning the key to start, and the engine actually turning over and starting.

- if the car hasn't been used for some time (eg. 3 weeks) the delay is very long, say, 90 seconds.
- if the car is in use (eg. staring up after visiting a petrol station) then the pause is short, say, 5 seconds.
- Occasionally there is no pause
- if I have put the battery on charge, then the pause is short
- the battery is a recent one

Initially I thought this was an issue related to the neutral start micro switch, but I'm pretty certain it's something to do with a poor connection or cable or something in the high current circuit.

Anyone got any thoughts or ideas? I'd really like to solve this problem myself.

It's quite a complicated starting circuit compared to a conventional car so you'll need to print out the relevant diagram and test with a good quality meter. If the problem is that easily reproduced you should quickly be able to find the cause.

During the delay, do you hear the pinion click/engage or is there just silence?

[V8 FOU]

Sounds like the starter solenoid or possibly a poor engine earth. Much testing, prodding and swearing needed....

[matt5791]

Thanks for that.

It's silence, until the starter kicks in and starts the engine.

[Byteme]

matt5791 said:

Thanks for that.

It's silence, until the starter kicks in and starts the engine.

I suspect that ultimately it will be a failure within the starter/starter solenoid so start testing there and work back before you get to the more complicated parts of the system. At this point it's just like any other car.

[matt5791]

Many thanks - I'll start at that end.

[matt5791]

Thought I would resurrect this thread just to report the problem is now solved, just in case anyone else had a similar issue.

I ended up asking RR&B Garages in Bromsgrove to look at the problem as the car was in with them having the brakes overhauled. The problem turned out to be, unfortunately, something awkward.

So here is some detail from the garage - which may help anyone else who has the same issue:

Carry out initial tests. Found burnt starter relay. Replace and test fault. Still apparent once car is left.
Carry out further tests. The inhibit relay loses its feed on the white slate wire and returns. Remove the gear box actuator and test the neutral start micro switch. Test OK
Fault within the wiring loom
Remove trim, dash fascia, air bag & centre consul to carry out electrical tests. Test the whole circuit. Fault found between the 6 way and 12 way loom plugs.
Repair loom from the 6 way to the 12 way connector and test. All OK. Refit the air bag, centre consul, and wood fascias.

the burnt relay at the beginning was probably from all the waiting around I had been doing on it!! well, I had to get the car started....

Anyway, as you can imagine, there was quite a lot of labour diagnosing this and pulling the car apart so it wasn't a cheap job unfortunately. But at least they got to the bottom of exactly what the problem was and now I know it has been properly fixed.

Edited by matt5791 on Sunday 24th January 11:07