Duff battery or starter motor??

[redrover]

Hi All,

Getting to the end of my tether with cold starts and wondering if you could help? The long and the short of it is IT WON'T.
Over the winter I've been priming the fuel pump (2000 TC) before starting and it's always fine (admittedly not starting until the second attempt, and taking a further 10 secs of cranking, but at least it starts). But as soon as it drops below 10*C outside, it won't start at all!! :evil:

Ignition system is fine, carbs are set up and choke works fine (until it floods the cylinders after 5 failed attempts to start).
WIth a jump, it will start first time in any conditions, and the starter motor spins round a LOT quicker. But on the normal battery it's really slow making a sort of 'wuh-wuh-wuhwuh' noise as it turns. It's really frustrating!
I'm planning to change the battery to one with a greater Cranking rating (this one is 480), but would this necessarily solve my problem, or is this problem indicative of a starter motor in need of rebuilding?? :shock:

 

[rockdemon]

sounds like battery to me...? I guess the question is can you jump start it in that situation off another car?

 

[GrimV8]

A duff starter can need more current to work and run slow, a weak battery can make the starter turn just slow enough to not catch
A garage or good motorfactor can check your battery on a tester, this checks it's voltage drop under load.
If your due a battery anyway, you'll soon elliminate it and it's easier than laying on the floor if you can't be bothered with the test :wink:

 

[richarduk]

How long has it been doing this? A cold snap like the one we've just had will kill a week battery in no time. Many moons ago when I was a mechanic this time of year was full of swapping out dead batteries.

Also check earth lead, maybe add a second one? One of the stock things I do when a car is having issues starting in the cold. Not sure how much it helps but is easy and gives piece of mind.

 

[harveyp6]

Also check earth lead, maybe add a second one? .

The one in the boot, and the engine earth lead, and check the connections on the insulator where it goes through the drivers footwell, and those on the starter itself. My money's on the battery though.

 

[redrover]

Cheers, guys. Thanks for the speedy replies.

I guess the question is can you jump start it in that situation off another car?

I can yes, and the starter spins twice as fast when another car is connected up, which I would imagine suggests the battery is at fault. It always fires first time then too.

How long has it been doing this? A cold snap like the one we've just had will kill a week battery in no time.

Since the snow and ice set in back in November. But I did have issues with it losing charge worryingly quickly (ie, 1 week without use) back in the Summer.

The one in the boot, and the engine earth lead, and check the connections on the insulator where it goes through the drivers footwell, and those on the starter itself.

Will get onto this. Good ideas, thanks!

I'm pretty sure it's the battery that's past its best too. I just wanted to check this wasn't a classic sign of some other problem. That said, I will be going over everything anyway- it's really starting to annoy me, so I want it sorted! Otherwise, she's a beautiful runner.

Cheers again,
Will keep you posted if I come across any nasties along the way!!

 

[rockdemon]

may the force be with you

 

[Demetris]

As all the others said, it's probably the battery. I had the same problems with you last year.
TC's don't catch easily from cold if they don't spin fast enough.
The problem is that because the engine spins, albeit slowly, you are fooled to believe that the battery is OK(ish).
And you start chasing your tail in vain, looking at everything else, but leave the battery for last.
And when you are frustrated and fed up, you change the battery and just like a miracle the engine starts first time, every time.
I promised myself that when my cars start to behave like this, i splash out for a decent battery.
It's not worth the hassle to delay it.