General Starting issues!

[60spunto]

Sorry if I am asking a recurring question but I have looked around and not been able to find an answer to the problem.

Basically the car (punto 60s '98) is having issues starting. It behaves like it is having issues with the immobiliser. When you turn the ignition there is a clicking sound but no fire. I have experimented with waiting different periods of time before turning the key and have found that on the whole it is more likely to start if the injection light has gone out. No lights remain on when the car is running.

Sorry to ramble but I am slightly stumped. I can hear the fuel pump priming and the car will start (sometimes it takes 5 or more attempts).
I am due to do a service on the car at the weekend (which will include new plugs and leads)- is this likely to help? I have recently run redex through the system.

Cheers
Matt

 

[Punto.Power]

I wait untill the injection light gos out before i start my car, clicking noise could be 3 things, battery is nackerd, loose or bad earth connection some where, and 3 could be the starter moter. Have you tryed jump starting it or bump it?

 

[60spunto]

the car has never ended up requiring a jumpstart as it will always start- just needs a few goes sometimes. I will try the earth but the battery was only replaced about 3 months ago-hopefully no problems there!
Thanks
Any further advice would be gratefully recieved

Matt

 

[jaybee]

the clicking sound is your starter motor solenoid trying to engage but not getting enough power for whatever reason , would start as Punto Power suggests and try taking off connections at battery and starter motor first ,,give them a good clean ( both at connections and terminals) and dont listen to anyone who suggests belting the starter motor with a hammer

 

[M111CYY]

i had a simillar problem towards the beginning of winter. it would start fine with a powerpack, i eventually got a new battery and sprayed the battery connections with WD40

 

[60spunto]

I have just serviced the punto ready for its dreaded MOT and as a result I have changed the plugs and leads. All the plugs have come off looking very good (even if one had been overtightened!) but one of the leads had been left to rest against the engine block and thus the sheath had melted- Changed the leads and the car has now successfully started around 10 times in a row. I guess time will tell if it is solved and if I have to look at the battery connections. Thanks for your help guys

Matt

 

[Punto.Power]

Wouldint it still fire if one of the leads was damaged, but only be firing on 3 cylinders rather than 4? Oh well hopefully its sorted your problem out mate.

 

[60spunto]

Thats what I thought but I am hoping that it has solved it. I had not noticed that the car was running rough before the service, ie. 3 cylinders but it appears to be running a bit smoother now.
Cheers

Matt

 

[jaybee]

good to hear that it seems to be sorted ,,even if it comes back(hope not), you will have a start point and the good thing is when looking to sort one problem you seem to have sorted another