Slow starter?

[hadyn]

Hello everyone, feels good to post up again in the technical section :)

Anyway - my soon to be acquired Supra has a bit of a slow start problem. When i say slow start, nothing happens for 0.5-1 second before the engine turns over and then starts cleanly. After a good run and left for a long idle the car seemed to switch on and off just like my old TT... :)

What could this be? The car has been left standing for what I presume is possibly weeks on end and hasnt done any serious mileage for quite a while. Starter motor on the way out or is it just a bi-product of the supe not being used a lot?

[Pete]

Plugs ok? Leads?

[hadyn]

Didnt miss at all when driving pr any hesitation which indicates dodgy plugs, it felt fine - so I kinda ruled plugs out.

As soon as i get it back home it will be treated to new air filter, plugs and a full oil change.

[RobAndrews]

Took it out tonight mate to try to keep the charge through the car. Bit sluggish when I first started it (since you left yesterday) but took it out for a drive for only 5-10 mins, then came back and started it a few more times over the next 10-15 minutes and it started in a split second each time.

[hadyn]

When you say sluggish rob, you mean just in the same way when you first started it yesterday? Its not an alarming problem really...

[RobAndrews]

yeah just in the same way

[supRo]

Battery dying? I had similar sympthoms.
Check the grounding and clean the battery terminals as they do oxidise

[hadyn]

Rob apparantly had the battery checked when it was MOTd and he was told it was still holding charge?

[Wez]

I would say battery too.

If its been standing for a while and takes a while to start but then starts ok after a run it could be that the battery has a fresh charge in it from the alternator after running.

[Pete]

It's that time of year. What do they reckon the life of a battery is? 3/4 years isn't it?
I know no-one ever changes until they die, but I'm sure I've read somewhere that's the life span.

[supRo]

I had my battery tested by several garages who all said the battery is fine. I then had it tested by Absxxxx using a great big heavy 'proper' testing machine thing which showed the battery was dying. New battery cured all the problems. The starting problems were worst in winter and when the car had been sitting around for a while

[hadyn]

Wouldnt a low battery mean a groany type start? The thing here is that nothing happens for 1/2-1 seconds and then the engine turns over fine...

[DaveK]

Do you mean the starter doesn't even spin? That you turn the key, absolutely nothing happens for 1/2 to 1 second, then it spins and starts straight away?

[hadyn]

Do you mean the starter doesn't even spin? That you turn the key, absolutely nothing happens for 1/2 to 1 second, then it spins and starts straight away?

Yep :)

[DaveK]

Same as me then :

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=87757

[hadyn]

Ive got a funny feeling its the starter motor :)

[DaveK]

I have noticed one thing on mine - I suspected it before, but I confirmed it this morning which makes me think that the problem is not my starter (and may not be a problem at all).

If I put the key in and immediately turn it to start the car I will get this delay. However - if I put the key in, turn it to "On" and wait for a second - then as soon as I turn the key the starter spins and the car starts.

I think there is other stuff going on when I switch the car on and this is what delays the starter. I've commented before (different thread) that my speedo flicks up for a split second when I turn the ignition on - it seems that kind of stuff has to finish before I have power to the starter. Odd, but I can live with it.

[Chris Wilson]

It needs the starter overhauling, I have the parts in stock and can turn it around same day.

[hadyn]

you have email chris :)

[hadyn]

Looks like it may well have been the battery. Changed at the weekend and now seems to start no problem at all. Old battery is losing charge all the time now its disconnected...

[RobAndrews]

cool, glad it was simple solution. plus I know not to trust the readings when the garage test the battery for me in the future.

[hadyn]

You might not want to trust the garage who fitted your rear wheels either mate. They were unfortunately the wrong way round on directional tyres :( Bit of a deathtrap, but I've got em on the right way round now :)
Also I think your old car had possibly the worlds most clogged and dirty air-filter I have ever seen!! Now changed thank god!