Starting

[Philip]

Last couple of days, have jumped in car and when turning key found it wouldn't start. Sounded like battery going flat. Moved gear stick in and out of park and then it started straight away. Before it gets worse and i take to garage, has anyone any idea why it suddenly should start doing this. Just worried one day it wont start at all.
Thanks Philip

[Vagrant No2]

Get the batteries load tested . If they OK try all connections like earth to body/chassis are good and clean and the positive cables . I know the starter contacts go bad according to the posts and threads I have read , but that should be your last port of call .

Rick

[Guest]

Last couple of days, have jumped in car and when turning key found it wouldn't start. Sounded like battery going flat. Moved gear stick in and out of park and then it started straight away. Before it gets worse and i take to garage, has anyone any idea why it suddenly should start doing this. Just worried one day it wont start at all.
Thanks Philip

Sounds like maybe something wrong with the starter inhibitor switch. Moving in and out of park would operate the switch on and off. Maybe there is a slight leakage to earth on the switch?.

Just a thought though that is maybe worth looking at. I may be totally off base though

Cheers

[Morr]

Sounds like maybe something wrong with the starter inhibitor switch. Moving in and out of park would operate the switch on and off. Maybe there is a slight leakage to earth on the switch?.

Just a thought though that is maybe worth looking at. I may be totally off base though

Cheers

I reckon if the inhibitor switch were playing up it would still either allow or disallow starting completly, rather than cause difficult or slow starting ???

[Vagrant No2]

I reckon if the inhibitor switch were playing up it would still either allow or disallow starting completly, rather than cause difficult or slow starting ???

I agree Maurice , but you never know these days what can happen.

Rick

[Guest]

I reckon if the inhibitor switch were playing up it would still either allow or disallow starting completly, rather than cause difficult or slow starting ???

Generally I would agree, however if it is slightly leaking to earth then maybe it's drawing current. I hate electrical problems like this - they mainly turn out to be something you wouldn't expect to cause a problem.

Only thought the starter inhibitor because Philip said that it was OK after moving the selector in and out of Park a few times - the only effect that should have on anything electrical is the Starter inhibitor.

Cheers

[Predictable Bob]

I know nothing about cars or Surfs but I spent 22 years playing with electrical systems on tanks and the like ......

Assuming the starter inhibitor is a microswitch then it's most likely that the switch is sticking, this could be due to external gunge or internal problems - a replacement shouldn't be that expensive.

How easy is it to get to the switch - and more to the point where is it !!!!

[Morr]

Generally I would agree, however if it is slightly leaking to earth then maybe it's drawing current. I hate electrical problems like this - they mainly turn out to be something you wouldn't expect to cause a problem.

Only thought the starter inhibitor because Philip said that it was OK after moving the selector in and out of Park a few times - the only effect that should have on anything electrical is the Starter inhibitor.

Cheers

Yeah I know that leccy snags can be a pain to locate, here's hoping it is something simple like a dodgy inhibitor switch.

Philip, any progress ??

[Philip]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Will get back in a few days after garage had a look.
Philip

[poppy986]

Hi there,had the same problem a few weeks back,put a new battery
on,had the car 3 years now with the same battery as when
purchaced. Sorted,no problems turns over so much better now.
May not be the same but worth a look at first?
Cheers Chris

[Philip]

Problem seems to have stopped.

Last few days it seems to be OK again, but now have problem which isn't really a problem.
When stoped and in gear such as at lights, the car is vibrating more than it did. A guy at Beaulieu show had a listen and to him it sounded perfect, but i know something has changes slightly. Revs at idle OK and car starts and runs perfectly, just vibrates a bit more. Can hear and feel it through 4 wheel drive lever. Did have XJ40 before so maybe problem with me.
Thanks Philip