Dead but then starts

[Gunnerhavesome]

Hi Team, Hope somebody out there may have a clue on this on this one for me. 75 auto V6 All running great parked up went shopping came back tried to start and nothing, No clicking of the starter mother not turning over nothing. Moved the gear selector out of park and back again and started no problem so just thought maybe wasn't correctly in park all good no worries.

Got in the car this morning same thing nothing, so tried the same in and out of park, nothing, opened the bonnet to hear better on turning the key nothing. Closed bonnet slammed door said a lot of naughty words thought about calling the RAC but didn't really have time to wait about. Went back to the car sometime later gave it another go just for luck and started as normal. Drove around a little bit parked up stopped it and tried again and started again. Only thing is that now worried to go any where in case it happens again and wont start. :shrug::mad:

So has any one had this and found a solution or is it a gremlin or is it the start of something nasty? I did check the battery connections and all good. No smell of burning. Also I am in France and due to travel back to the UK in a few weeks so want to save up my RAC call out until I really need it.

All advice greatly received.

[Bullnose75]

My V6 Tourer did that soon after I got it. One day it would start,another day it wouldn't. I did the move from Park to Neutral etc too. It would eventually start but like you I was worried one day it wouldn't and it would leave me stranded somewhere. Mine turned out to be worn starter motor brushes. Fitted new set off of Ebay and it's started fine ever since.

[SD1too]

So has any one had this and found a solution ..
Yes Graeme. It's most likely to be worn starter motor solenoid contacts because you report not hearing a click. You can buy a repair kit from e-bay inexpensively. When I did mine three years ago it cost £16. It's easy to do on a KV6 so get stuck in!

Simon

[COLVERT]

As Simon advises. Starter motor solenoid contacts burnt away.


PS. -----Or loose contact of the small supply wire to the starter.

[Gunnerhavesome]

Thanks Simon, When you say easy? How easy? I am not averse to chucking spanners but is it easy access? Do I need to get underneath the car or can I access it from the top? I have basic tools but can't afford to put it into my local French garage again as still paying off the mortgage from the water pump repair :eek:

Graeme

[Arctic]

Graeme clean the spade end on the starter, by removing it and use some fne emery paper or wire wool, then refit the wire. I recently refurbished a 2.5 2.0 starter motor so once home drop me a PM ;)

[COLVERT]

From the top but you will have to remove the air cleaner and the battery and its tray to get at the starter motor.

There is info in the How-To section of the forum on how to change the contacts. Not difficult.---:D

[Gunnerhavesome]

Thanks Arctic, will do but wont be home for another few weeks to a month or so. Maybe have to bit of a field strip.:}

Graeme

[Gunnerhavesome]

From the top but you will have to remove the air cleaner and the battery and its tray to get at the starter motor.

There is info in the How-To section of the forum on how to change the contacts. Not difficult.---:D
Will have a look now thanks for the help.:}

[Gunnerhavesome]

Many thanks to all who have replied so quickly, I love being a member of such a helpful club. I will have time on Saturday to pull out the battery and air cleaner to get a look at the issue, and update when I have done that and see what's what.

Cheers team,:D:D

Graeme

[Gunnerhavesome]

Well team as promised an update on this issue.
I have spent a couple of hours getting to the starter as always one bolt in the battery tray was stubborn but got it out without stripping it, also the air intake off. Very pleased I did this as whoever took it of last didn't refit it correctly and the underside of the inlet hose was crushed and not seated so raw unfiltered air was going in. So at least this has been resolved.
Unfortunately I could not get the end plate removed from the selanoid as after struggling with the bottom furthest away bolt leavenig the closest one until last incase the whole thing spang apart and dropped bits where I could never retrieve them started on the last bolt only for it to become hard upgainst the engine mount. So after a lot of naughty words just cleaned up the contacts and put all back together. Fingers crossed and it started fine. So will for the moment just hope this bit of cleaning does the trick. So if any of you know how to get this off insitue please let me know as for now will just have keep praying to the Rover gods.



Again all advice gratefully received.

Graeme