Advice on weird non start today

edwardmk · 4th August 2022, 23:53

Reversed MV54 KXK today and parked on a steep-ish hill. Engine was luke warm. I turned off the engine while waiting for another car to manoevre. Two minutes later, other car safely away, she wouldn't start. Checked I was in park with the handbrake on. Starter motor didn't turn. Checked the battery voltage which was 12.54( but I had the hazards on for ten minutes). Tried several times with no result. Put a Noco 150 on the battery and left it for 10 minutes. Still no hint of the starter motor turning. Next door neighbour came over. Battery voltage check OK, in park, Yes. Handbrake on, yes. So he turned the ignition key and she fired up instantly. He smiled and said 'I still have the touch. Used to work in the motor trade you know!'
So now I have a weird unknown intermittent fault hanging over me like a proverbial sword of Damocles. Will we make it to Mount Edgecombe on Sunday

Ed3 · 5th August 2022, 00:11

I may be making a very silly comment for your design of car, but on various makes of cars made/designed in the 1990s and earlier this no life in the starter motor would occur when the earth strap connection had rusted, usually where the earth strap is screw/bolted to the body of the car so that the earth cannot reach the starter motor.

Arctic · 5th August 2022, 00:20

Hi Martin.
Could have been a couple of things, car not completely in Park, even though i here you saying it was checked.

What mileage is the car now, have the starter motor contacts & plunger ever been changed do you know.

1

2

Also check that the spade connector on the starter is not corroded, pull it of and clean it up anyways

3

Mike Noc · 5th August 2022, 07:40

If it happens again listen for s single click as you turn the key. If you hear that then chances are it is the solenoid co tavtsSteve has mentioned.

edwardmk · 5th August 2022, 10:36

I’ll look at all those items and report back.
Car seems to be starting perfectly today as usual. Just that nagging concern now it may happen again!

4th August 2022, 23:53	#1
edwardmk Gets stuck in MG ZT 260, Rover 75 Connie SE auto Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Redruth Posts: 984 Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 399 Times in 271 Posts	Advice on weird non start today Reversed MV54 KXK today and parked on a steep-ish hill. Engine was luke warm. I turned off the engine while waiting for another car to manoevre. Two minutes later, other car safely away, she wouldn't start. Checked I was in park with the handbrake on. Starter motor didn't turn. Checked the battery voltage which was 12.54( but I had the hazards on for ten minutes). Tried several times with no result. Put a Noco 150 on the battery and left it for 10 minutes. Still no hint of the starter motor turning. Next door neighbour came over. Battery voltage check OK, in park, Yes. Handbrake on, yes. So he turned the ignition key and she fired up instantly. He smiled and said 'I still have the touch. Used to work in the motor trade you know!' So now I have a weird unknown intermittent fault hanging over me like a proverbial sword of Damocles. Will we make it to Mount Edgecombe on Sunday

5th August 2022, 00:20	#3
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,699 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Hi Martin. Could have been a couple of things, car not completely in Park, even though i here you saying it was checked. What mileage is the car now, have the starter motor contacts & plunger ever been changed do you know. 1 2 Also check that the spade connector on the starter is not corroded, pull it of and clean it up anyways 3 __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

5th August 2022, 00:11	#2
Ed3 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi saloon Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: UK Posts: 305 Thanks: 88 Thanked 29 Times in 26 Posts	I may be making a very silly comment for your design of car, but on various makes of cars made/designed in the 1990s and earlier this no life in the starter motor would occur when the earth strap connection had rusted, usually where the earth strap is screw/bolted to the body of the car so that the earth cannot reach the starter motor.

5th August 2022, 07:40	#4
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	If it happens again listen for s single click as you turn the key. If you hear that then chances are it is the solenoid co tavtsSteve has mentioned.

5th August 2022, 10:36	#5
edwardmk Gets stuck in MG ZT 260, Rover 75 Connie SE auto Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Redruth Posts: 984 Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 399 Times in 271 Posts	I’ll look at all those items and report back. Car seems to be starting perfectly today as usual. Just that nagging concern now it may happen again!