Ignition Issue

[LMJ]

Hey guys... I find that when I start my car sometimes - it doesn't start. It's not a case of the starter motor just ticking and trying to start the engine ... it's more towards a noise. Sounds like the starter motor but doesnt do anything else. It always starts then the 2nd time around when I turn the ignition once, wait a bit and then start the car. I never have any trouble starting the car - but the noise is strange when it doesn't start. It's not due to any cold weather or anything. Does anyone else have this problem? Hope I've explained it as well as I can.

Another useful note maybe - is apparently according to the garage - there's an immobiliser on it, would that be likely on a '96 CLS? Could that be anything to do with it?

Thanks!

 

[abhardwaj1990]

When my mum used to drive my car that once happened, she was told it was the immobiliser but the CLS's dont have one ....
another time the starter motor went, so that had to be changed I believe....
not to sure though, I'll ask when I see her.
I cant remember it much seeing as i was like 13 when it happened lol

 

[Fl@pper]

a sort of CLunk-nuurrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRr whirring noise ?

 

[LMJ]

Flapper - I couldn't have described it better myself... Yes my friend - a sound similar to that... Dad said it might be the teeth on the coggs of the starter motor maybe? Or the spring? In other words... might be detteriorating...

 

[Fl@pper]

clunk is the solenoid pushing out

whirring is the starter motor itself spinning

if the gear and flywheel don't 'mesh' you will get the sound but could be because the gears are worn or the solenoid is wearing down and not kicking the cogs out enough

tired starter basically

low battery will cause it sound similar when running down but as you said when you stop and retry it's all fine and immobiliser if a problem will let ist 'fire' then die after a second so it doesn't sound like that

might find it's worse depending on temperature, had a few fords where the starter is right by teh exhaust and when it's warmed up they are a pig to start as the motors too hot

 

[LMJ]

ahh right thanks Flapper... but yeah as I said - I really can't describe the sound... the closest I can make it is... hwiiiiiww... when I start it... then switch off and one turn on ignition, wait and then it starts straight away. Only does it once or twice... and its fine then... usually does it when I start it too quickly.

 

[Fl@pper]

mine's been known to do it too on odd occasions but still going strong years later

tis funny sometimes it seems to stop and go quiet then 'clunk' out the blue

off and back on all starts fine

 

[Fl@pper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJxP1NAcow&feature=related

a little bit similar to the start of this vid, if a little faster sounding

 

[LMJ]

yeah more or less the same as shown in the vid!... Must be the starter motor... Yeah same here - go's perfectly after that lol, just does it sometimes when it feels like it. No paticular weather or anything causes it.

 

[red chilli]

i have a spare starter motor here if you need it !! from 1.4 seat 99 reg , will get pic up of it ,taking pics today of all my spare SEAT parts mainly front end gearbox and engine ,plus all ancileries , 07592 185 383

 

[Delbwoy]

I'd go with the starter motor.

Before you shell out any hard earned, remove it and clean and lubricate the shaft that the gear spins on. You might see that the teeth on that gear are a little worse for wear. There are still people that recondition starters and alternators etc., but due to today's throwaway society, they are a dying breed. Also, while it is out, rotate the crankshaft so you can check all the teeth on the flywheel. Sometimes there is a worn area that happens to be in line with the starter at the time. (If that makes sense!!)

Good luck.

Del

 

[LMJ]

thanks DelBwoy, so you'd recommend me going for it then, buy red chilli's starter? Yeah will check it, where is it ha, I'll look it up in the haynes manual and take it from there!