Any diy car mechanics here?

[woody1]

have you asked your hairdresser??

It may be a hairdresser's car but I doubt any self respecting hairdresser would be seen dead in my tatty old motor.

BTW, has anyone used a firm that does mobile alloy wheel refurbs? Or is it better to take it to a shop to get them done?

[northernladuk]

It may be a hairdresser's car but I doubt any self respecting hairdresser would be seen dead in my tatty old motor.

BTW, has anyone used a firm that does mobile alloy wheel refurbs? Or is it better to take it to a shop to get them done?

Depends on the damage and the type of alloys. I personally wouldn't be bothering with mobile as I haven't seen them and can't believe they'll have all the kit to grind, turn and proper coat them. If they are half silver and black or something weird like that it can be difficult. If they are all black then shouldn't be a problem but I'd be finding a local alloy specialist and taking it in for them to have a look at.

[northernladuk]

Yep, that looks like it. I'll definitely do what you suggest, and check the earth connections.

I can't tell if it's possible to access the +ve terminal of the starter motor itself but, if it is, I'll get the missus to hold the ignition key in the start position and check that the motor is live.

Could try making sure you've got a jumper cable or something to create a temporary ground and just holding it against the bolt where the earth is in that diagram and a clean earth on the body/engine. If it starts then it's definitely the earth thats bad.

[Snooky]

I've had similar problems, albeit with a Ford Diesel engine. The starter will refuse to turn, I charge the battery and it seems ok but it still refuses. The reason is that even though the battery seems charged (to the charger), the power it can supply under load still isn't enough to start the engine so the engine management software just refuses to let it try. A new battery solves the problem.

As yours is a petrol engine and so has a much lower turning resistance, that may not be the cause but it might be worth getting a reliable battery place to check the output of your battery before you think about replacing the starter motor.

[woody1]

Could try making sure you've got a jumper cable or something to create a temporary ground and just holding it against the bolt where the earth is in that diagram and a clean earth on the body/engine. If it starts then it's definitely the earth thats bad.

Good thinking.

I'll update the thread with what I find, and what sorted it.

[woody1]

I've had similar problems, albeit with a Ford Diesel engine. The starter will refuse to turn, I charge the battery and it seems ok but it still refuses. The reason is that even though the battery seems charged (to the charger), the power it can supply under load still isn't enough to start the engine so the engine management software just refuses to let it try. A new battery solves the problem.

As yours is a petrol engine and so has a much lower turning resistance, that may not be the cause but it might be worth getting a reliable battery place to check the output of your battery before you think about replacing the starter motor.

Thanks, and yep I'm still keeping in mind that it could be the battery. It's about 5 years old and, although I keep it on permanent trickle charge, it could be degraded.

[northernladuk]

Thanks, and yep I'm still keeping in mind that it could be the battery. It's about 5 years old and, although I keep it on permanent trickle charge, it could be degraded.

Try starting it with the engine running so it's using power from the alternator not the battery.

[woody1]

Try starting it with the engine running so it's using power from the alternator not the battery.

Not thought of doing that. Somehow assumed it might knacker something.

I've checked all the earth leads and they look sound. Used a meter to do a continuity/resistance test on both the earth and +ve connections: very close to zero Ω.

As is often the case with this type of problem, now I'm trying to diagnose it, it's stopped happening. Maybe because I've been cranking the engine quite a lot over the past couple of days?

[northernladuk]

Not thought of doing that. Somehow assumed it might knacker something.

I've checked all the earth leads and they look sound. Used a meter to do a continuity/resistance test on both the earth and +ve connections: very close to zero Ω.

As is often the case with this type of problem, now I'm trying to diagnose it, it's stopped happening. Maybe because I've been cranking the engine quite a lot over the past couple of days?

It was tongue in cheek so no don't try it if it is even possible. Could be because you've topped the battery up. Try a trickle chargers when it's not being used for weeks?

[woody1]

It was tongue in cheek so no don't try it if it is even possible. Could be because you've topped the battery up. Try a trickle chargers when it's not being used for weeks?

Ahh, good job I didn't try it then.

I have it permanently on a trickle charger. Recently, after a 3-hour 180 mile trip, which I assume would have fully charged the battery, it was still playing up.

I must have started it at least half a dozen times this morning, and every time it cranked first time.