Discussion
I'd try:
Put it in gear and try to turn it over (make sure you can't hit anything). This will check if the starter motor is engaging (car will try to move if it is). If it isn't engaging, hit the starter motor with a hammer (might be easier from underneath) and try again. It sounds like the starter gear is not being thrown forward.
Let us know what happens next....
Put it in gear and try to turn it over (make sure you can't hit anything). This will check if the starter motor is engaging (car will try to move if it is). If it isn't engaging, hit the starter motor with a hammer (might be easier from underneath) and try again. It sounds like the starter gear is not being thrown forward.
Let us know what happens next....
Hit it wherever you can get at it. Everything up to the 'whirring' sounds normal. The gear can get stuck if it is worn or if it gets cruddy because it's at the bottom of the bellhousing. You may have to remove the starter motor and clean the gear if the hammer trick doesn't work, and if the hammer trick does work you haven't necessarily solved the problem.
Hmmm, another thought forming: If the battery is low on power there might not be enough spin to throw the gear forward. How well charged is the battery?
HOWEVER, SOMEBODY ELSE MAY HAVE BETTER SUGGESTIONS THAN MY AGRICULTURAL APPROACH.
Hmmm, another thought forming: If the battery is low on power there might not be enough spin to throw the gear forward. How well charged is the battery?
HOWEVER, SOMEBODY ELSE MAY HAVE BETTER SUGGESTIONS THAN MY AGRICULTURAL APPROACH.
Edited by mikee boy on Thursday 12th June 09:41
My money is on the battery being almost flat - turn the headlights on and have a look at them, I bet they are really dim or soon go dim.
I bet the starter motor makes a bit of a machine gun sound - a number of clicks gradually getting slower till its dead.
The starter solenoid engages - its too much load on the battery and the voltage drops to zilch. Solenoid disengages.
Power to solenoid again - engages, repeat!
The clue is above when Chris says the instruments go crazy - again due to the voltage being all over the place.
If I'm wrong I'll eat my engine, starting with the cam!
Chris
I bet the starter motor makes a bit of a machine gun sound - a number of clicks gradually getting slower till its dead.
The starter solenoid engages - its too much load on the battery and the voltage drops to zilch. Solenoid disengages.
Power to solenoid again - engages, repeat!
The clue is above when Chris says the instruments go crazy - again due to the voltage being all over the place.
If I'm wrong I'll eat my engine, starting with the cam!
Chris
Edited by Barkychoc on Thursday 12th June 09:50
Thanks all, Initially the battery was flat so put it on charge overnight but that is not to say that the battery is not retaining it's charge. Putting the car in 2nd and rocking it sounds like the easiest thing to try and will look at replacing the battery It's been on the car for several years.
Chris eating your engine is not good for you and can prove expensive even with worn lobes. Good luck with your rebuild and best of health matey
Chris eating your engine is not good for you and can prove expensive even with worn lobes. Good luck with your rebuild and best of health matey
ChrisGadd said:
Thanks all, Initially the battery was flat so put it on charge overnight but that is not to say that the battery is not retaining it's charge. Putting the car in 2nd and rocking it sounds like the easiest thing to try and will look at replacing the battery It's been on the car for several years.
Chris eating your engine is not good for you and can prove expensive even with worn lobes. Good luck with your rebuild and best of health matey
Chris remember that the engine will run like a dog for a bit as the ECU has been disconnected - according to TVRGIT it needs to go through a couple of warm up / cool down phases before it 'learns' its initial settings again and settles down.Chris eating your engine is not good for you and can prove expensive even with worn lobes. Good luck with your rebuild and best of health matey
At least if the lobes are worn on my cam theres less of it to eat!
Chris
Edited by Barkychoc on Thursday 12th June 10:15
Christine rises from the ashes, one new type 69 Banner battery with sides trimmed off and she fired on the first turn of the key 
Now for the second question this year - the battery clamp doesn't fit so I need to get a strap of some sort. I have read on previous threads that some have used suit case straps but how secure are these ? what other safer options are out there ?
Oh yes Chris no need to eat your cheesy cam you were spot on with your diagnosis cheers
Now for the second question this year - the battery clamp doesn't fit so I need to get a strap of some sort. I have read on previous threads that some have used suit case straps but how secure are these ? what other safer options are out there ?
Oh yes Chris no need to eat your cheesy cam you were spot on with your diagnosis cheers
ChrisGadd said:
...the battery clamp doesn't fit so I need to get a strap of some sort. I have read on previous threads that some have used suit case straps but how secure are these? What other safer options are out there?
Get down to your local DIY megashed and buy yourself a ratchet & strap (usually to be found alongside locks, chains, etc.). The strap needs to be at least an inch wide. This ratchet mechanism will ensure the battery is very secure and can be quickly released - much easier than a bolt on clamp.I hope the new battery has good clearance under the bonnet. I've seen a few S's with starcracks in this area.
Thanks again looks like a trip to B&Q or the like, interesting about the star crack on the bonnet Roy, when I bought the car there was a very small star crack in roughly the same location as one of the battery posts. The new battery is exactly the same height size as the old one so I'm hoping that there is enough clearance. I suppose I could get something to test the clearancve just in case.
ChrisGadd said:
Thanks again looks like a trip to B&Q or the like, interesting about the star crack on the bonnet Roy, when I bought the car there was a very small star crack in roughly the same location as one of the battery posts. The new battery is exactly the same height size as the old one so I'm hoping that there is enough clearance. I suppose I could get something to test the clearancve just in case.
Chris - put small "spikes" of bluetack on the highest points of your battery and carefully lower the bonnet into place watching for a bulge forming as you close it (or not) if you then lift the bonnet and see how much the bluetack has crushed and figure out the available gap from that. If you are worried then do a first check when the bonnet is down but not fully locked down onto the catchesK
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