F40 starter clicking?

When I start my F40, I often get a loud clicking sound and the engine does not turn over. I need to hit the start button a few times before the clicking stops and the engine turns.

Does anyone know the likely culprit?

 

have you ck'd battery voltage?, cars that sit tend to drane batterys, some kind of battery tenders help

 

Probably low battery, I recognize the sound!

Regards
Caley

 

I would say its a sticking starter motor solenoid Bill.

But, start with the basics first. Have your battery load tested to ensure its ok.

If it IS ok, then have the starter motor looked at mate.

 

Ditto.

Also check start button if worn car arc causing low voltage to reach solenoid.

Generally Ferrari Alternators/Starters are crap.

I'd replace with Lexus/ND a good gel cell (Interstate)

 

Its your alternator. The five hundred dollar job was actually a 29.95 rebuild. You got ripped off because its a ferrari. F40 alternators are not the same as the Camaro alternator they look like. You need to get a factory alternator $2500. T. Rutlands has the correct voltage regulators. They are several hundred dollars. Reread the original post about your altenator.

 

Bill- Quite often a loose ground strap will give the sypmtoms you describe. Cheap fixes first.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I had the same issue on a Boxer not long ago. You had to turn the key several times. Nothing but click, click, click. On about the 3rd or 4th time it would spin. It was the starter solenoid. After several tries the contacts actually 'arc" enough to make the connection and it engauges and spins.

Interesting enough, the starter solenoid was actually a Russian made part that Dennis McCann had in inventory.

Sounds like the same deal on your F40.

Drew

 

An F40 ECU has a circuit that interupts the starter circuit if there is a signal from the alternator. Sounds like a bad solenoid/starter/battery/ground. It's there to stop you using the starter when the engine is running. Do you really think that Ferrari would use an off the shelf Delco alternator? Look at the wiring layout in your manual. The F40 uses a special Ferrari only voltage regulator that has a different wiring logic on the weatherpack connector. It will start if it catches right away, otherwise it will continue to click while you hold the button as the engine rotates slowly. You can manually jump it to check the operation of the starter/solenoid. If the engine is cranking slightly when the button is held it's the alternator.

 

Bill I would think something as simple as your battery is low.

 

Sounds like your starter solenoid, to be safe I would check the battery, assuming its good, I would get the starter tested, if its one of the wear areas like a sticking solenoid, then I would have it rebuilt, if its more than one problem I would just get a new starter. That being said, if there aren't any new starters for the f40, then I guess rebuilding is the only option.

 

+1 Same thing happened with my Corolla

But a starter motor is a starter motor..

 

Yep yep!

 

Has anyone suggested the starter solenoid yet?

 

Nope!

 

So I don't exist anymore?

Bill. Found the problem yet?

 

It looks like it may have been due to a slightly weak battery, probably as a result of the alternator failure. I charged the battery and drove it today. No clicking after 10 or so starts.

I'll watch it to see if it happens again. Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

 

Lol, I mentioned it 8 posts before you did as did a few others.

Nice to hear mate. But I still think the starter solenoid is on its way out.

Play it by ear and see what happens Bob.

 

Well played.


Bill
Keep an eye one the starter as papster said I guess. So was the battery just discharged or is it a dying battery?

 

Bah, dont beat yourself up too much kid!