Starting Issues Turbo R

[Scotty2]

Got an issue with intermittent starting on my 96 turbo R. I thought it was the battery at first as there was a click but no churning of the engine, so I fitted a new battery. Car started OK for a few trips then when I tried to start it it just clicked and the ignition lights dimmed but the starter did not turn. Out of desperation I repeatedly turned the key to the start position and it fired into life. It then was OK for a few trips.

Now it takes several turns of the key to get it to start and seems to be getting worse. Anyone have an idea other than a dickey starter motor? Is there a starting relay or something I can try and change before handing it over to get a new starter?

[jeyjey]

Sounds more like not enough current is getting to the starter. Make sure the connections on the battery and on the ground strap between the engine and the chassis are clean and tight.

[Bluebottle911]

Sounds like there may be a problem on the charging front. Alternator perhaps?

[hdiam1950]

Hate to be the bearer of possible bad news but had a very similar situation on my 2001 Conti R Mulliner which turned out to be head gaskets failing..this is a fairly common fault on these engines..hope for your sake i am wrong--cost me £5000 wish to rectify. Harry.

[hdiam1950]

ignore wish

[Scotty2]

Alternator seems fine as the volts are correct when running. Battery is new. I'll check earth cables at the weekend. Sometimes it starts, and sometimes it takes several attempts with just a click and the instrument lights dim until it eventually catches on one of the turns of the key.

Thankfully head gaskets unlikely as it runs perfectly when it does start and isn't using water nor producing steam.

[loquacious]

It is probably the immobiliser battery failing and has caused damage to the circuitry. Mine (also a 98) did exactly what yours is doing and it took the specialists 10 weeks to find it and then cure it!

[ssray]

Large jump start cable or other large cable from the neg terminal to earth, quite possibly high resistance in one of the main cables, if the cable works try cleaning all of the contact/earth points

[Scotty2]

loquacious said:

It is probably the immobiliser battery failing and has caused damage to the circuitry. Mine (also a 98) did exactly what yours is doing and it took the specialists 10 weeks to find it and then cure it!

Now that's interesting. I have had a few issues with the fob not turning off the immobiliser despite a recent battery.
Had to switch the battery isolator off and on in the boot to get it to re-synch.

Fob faulty or ECU in the dash?

[jeyjey]

If the ignition lights are dimming when it won't start then it's drawing significant current out of the battery. This suggests to me that it's not the immobiliser.

I'd suspect a loose connection or corroded ground somewhere....

[Scotty2]

Car has now been transported to a specialist in Leeds for investigation as the intermittent starting became a will not start at all.

Will update when I hear from them.

[alabbasi]

Your ignition switch uses a plastic ignition coupler which can break apart and create problems with starting

here's the part # UD72522. You can find it on Introcar

[Scotty2]

Confirmed as starter motor.

Now replaced and starting. Just getting the fobs checked as one is not working for the central locking/immobiliser.

Does anyone know someone who can reprogram or replace fobs? The Timpsons local specialist couldn't help.

[alabbasi]

Scotty2 said:

Confirmed as starter motor.

Now replaced and starting. Just getting the fobs checked as one is not working for the central locking/immobiliser.

Does anyone know someone who can reprogram or replace fobs? The Timpsons local specialist couldn't help.

You'll need to find a specialist with an omitec factory scan tool. They can program key fobs. If the module is bad, you can send it to Bowling engineering on Bolton and they will fix it for you. They have an internal nicad battery that's either in the module or the siren (depending on year) that can leak all over the circuit board and cause it to fail.