Hi

I'm a newbie to this great group . Wish I had found it earlier .
I'm having problems with starting the engine . 9 times out of 10 it starts just fine . Ocasionally when I turn the key , even though all the dash board lights come on , it won't start . I have to take the key out and try again and eventually after 3 or 4 turns it will start . Any ideas on what the problem could be would be appreciated

Thanks

Hi,when it does not start,when you turn the key does the starter turn or even make a loudish noise. Or no noise at all .

No noise at all Pete

I've had starter motor problems before on other cars and usually get a clicking sound. There's no such sound with this problem . Thanks

does keeping all the electrical accessories (cd, aircon, cabin fan, headlights, etc) off help? maybe a battery issue?

does keeping all the electrical accessories

Click to expand...

When you turn the ignition on do the dashboard lights illuminate?

Sometimes a 'bad earth' can cause the symptoms you describe ... sometimes you turn the key and there's nothing .. Ten minutes later it's fine..

If you're sure that your battery is fine, check the condition of the battery terminals. Try loosening them and retightening them to create a better connection (bear in mind that if you disconnect them to clean them .. you may have to re-enter your radio code..).

Also check the earth lead - the black lead - where it attaches to the engine block via a bolt. Loosen, clean and retighten that connection too.

You haven't mentioned a flat battery so I presume it's ok ..

Do you have a battery jumper lead .. ? You only need one... Next time there's nothing when you try and start the car, put one end of the jumper lead onto the battery negative terminal and the other end anywhere where it can earth on the engine block. If the car spins and starts - it's a 'bad earth'.

Those symptoms you describe I had the same with my jeep. Sometimes the dashboard lights wouldn't illuminate, let alone the engine turn over. Ten minutes later the car would start .. It was a bad earth

Thanks for your ideas so far . If anyone else can offer any possible solutions I would appreciate it . Cheers

Lights ON but no starter ? Might be the key switch. Do you have some skills in electricity (low voltage) ?

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

No I don't Bernie . Its one of those annoying problems that doesn't occur all the time . I've recently had it into the garage for a service and cylinder head work and it didn't do it whilst they had it . It's my sons car. He's in the army so is now back at camp. He's going to have to find a garage near there . I was just looking to try and help him out with possible causes