following 3 amusing episodes of having to pust start the car i'm starting to get annoyed. i thought it was linked to the alarm but it now seems the alarm's immobileser isn't wired in anyway because of the CODE system. company that fitted it said they don't do it on Fiats. anyway i turned the alarm off at the key and the car won't start this time (it did last time i reset the alarm) which makes me think it's nothing to do with the alarm,

the battery is perfect and one of those massive diesel ones. the indicator's showing green and the car starts fine 19/20 times.

is there some kind of relay or solenoid on the starter motor? could this be the problem if anyone has exerienced this please help. i couldn't even find the fuse for the starter listed in the manual (haynes is at home 160 miles away!)

the starter never makes a grating noise or sounds bad. getting annoying having to park on hills now!



Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

ok it appears the alarm IS at fault, switched it off and had no problems since. think the alarm was causing the indicators not to work sometimes too. hate having to manually lock car but at least it starts now!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

no, i was wrong! appears to be the solenoid in the starter. help!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

Mad,
If you feel up to it, solenoid problems are quite often due to dirt, etc, and can be reconditioned as a DIY job. I would also check the leads for signs of damage/corrosion. Loosen and retighten them as well, (dis the batt neg before putting a spanner anywhere near the solenoid or you'll end up with an impressive lighting show.).

<h5><font color="black">Dave.
Marea HLX 2.0 20v</h5><h6>Airbox with attitude[8D] Now only getting 22.2mpg
Blue Momo Tomahawk Gear Knob, Momo Alu H/brake, Blue stuff
Ecotek fitted, removed and waiting for warm weather.
So much to do, so little time.... and Totally Skint!! </h6></font id="black">

it's a bit of a b@stard to get at the starter. do you reckon the starter is servicable? haynes manual doesn't say what to do

i'm not too familiar with starters, what exactly does the solenoid do? is it possible that my motor's contacts are bad and it's landing on the bad bit every so often?

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

Starter is servicable. Not had it to bits but normally long bolts through motor yoke. Just use a bit of common and note what you do.
The solenoid usually throws the starter gear into the flywheel gear ring. The starter gear will be on a spiral slide so that when the flywheel starts turning faster than the starter gear it spits it out again.
It is possible that you have a dirty/burnt commutator. You can clean it with fine emery if it's not too bad, just remember to remove any burrs from between the segments with a blade or razor saw.

<h5><font color="black">Dave.
Marea HLX 2.0 20v</h5><h6>Airbox with attitude[8D] Now only getting 22.2mpg
Blue Momo Tomahawk Gear Knob, Momo Alu H/brake, Blue stuff
Ecotek fitted, removed and waiting for warm weather.
So much to do, so little time.... and Totally Skint!! </h6></font id="black">

oh like the pull start on a lawnmower, uses centrifugal force. hasn't not worked since monday, might've sorted itself out.....(tempts fate) hopefully will hold together long enough for me to sell it!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!