Hi
I have a brava 1.2 formula.......2001.
Problem is, when starting from cold, the engine turns over quite slowly, almost as if the battery is getting flat, when it does eventually fire up, it runs/starts up fairly well throughout the day.
I've had the battery tested and it seems fine.
can anyone throw some suggestions in?
thanks

a slow turning starter motor can be due to:
1. flat battery (test it)
2. dirty battery connections (clean and grease them)
3. bad earth strap (clean and grease connections at both ends)
4. bad connections on starter motor (clean and grease eath and live)

the fact that it happens more when cold suggests it is more likely to be a battery problem. connection problems tend to get worse when hot. you need to be sure your battery is ok, a voltage check wont tell you if it still has the cold cranking amps required.

Hi jug....thanks...The guy in the autoparts shop put 'a tool/gadget' across the terminals (with the caps/screws off) and said it puts a heavy drain similar to when cranked up and said I wouldn't need a battery.....would it most likley be the starter connections ( are they easy to get to?)

the connections on the starter motor will be easily accessible, and are almost always bolted on to the startermotor, often with a rubber shield over the live contact. inspect them for any signs of corrosion, and just in case take them apart, clean the metal faces with something abrasive (e.g. sandpaper) then grease them with copper grease or similar before reconnecting.
definately do the same to the battery terminals, its amazing how often thats the problem.

Thanks....I'll try the starter, I did clean/sand the battery terminals after putting on charge.
Sorry to be a pain, but whereabouts ish is the starter moter located!
cheers

Hi!

I have just had a similar problem. I ended up replacing the starter motor. One suggestion I was given to check how good your earthing system is: Using a jump lead, connect one end to a solid part of the engine block. Connect the other end to the negative terminal of the battery and try to start the car. If it starts ok you have a bad earth problem that needs to be tracked down. If there is no change then that should indicate the problem lies elsewhere.