Car has been running fine but I did not use it for about 1 month. Today when trying to start it is experienced first a 5-10 second delay when the key is in the start (trying to crank the car ) before anything happened. During this time I had the lights on the dash on as normal but no cranking sound or any other noise going on. Any ideas?
Was it like this: Disable immobilizer Insert key Wait for F1 system to prime (mine is an F1 car) Turn (and hold) key to start and nothing happens. 5 seconds of holding key in start and suddenly, for no apparent reason,....vrooom. It starts. That the sequence?
Pretty sure it's the starter solenoid getting stuck. Mine got worse and worse until my mech replaced it. The longer the car sat the longer the delay in my case.
Same issues I had and why I am asking the sequence you are experiencing. I rebuild by starter solenoid twice. Wasn't the problem. Rebuilt the starter and it bench tested great. Not the problem. Mine got worse the the colder it was at start-up. Mine had a short in the windings. The colder it got the more likely the winding would separate and the car not start. In the end I replaced the starter. Has been prefect ever since. Pulling the starter is pretty easy and getting it rebuilt is cheap (local guy did it here for $60). They will not do windings....but you get a new plunger, contacts, brushes and a cleaning.
Hi, yes almost. I don't have the immobilizer, it's a Challenge car so it's a little stripped down of these comforts. Basically, turn the battery kill switch on (usually I keep it with the switch off for a longer time storage so the computer has to re-learn the parameters upon start-up). Ignition key on, turn on, lights on dash come on, normally would crank. Upon crank - nothing happens, if I leave it on for about 5 seconds it cranks. Starts maybe on a second crank. Once the car was warmed up and driven I stopped for gas and it cranks right away did not have to wait for ~5 seconds. Only had to wait the first time after storing for about 1 month.
Yes it sounds like it's a starter issue. Battery is primed and charged (on trickle charger which showed full, and it's a 6 month old battery). Temperature was cooler, around 40 deg.; this car loves warmer weather but it's not a reason for it not to start. So the fact that the lights came on normally but no crank, it sounded like a starter issue or something along that line. Will check to see how it repeats. How do you remove the starter, is there a simple DYI somewhere?
Pretty easy.... Disconnect the battery Remove the RH side air box. Disconnect the solenoid control wire (clip) Disconnect the starter positive wire (nut on starter stud) Spin out the three bolts that pass through the transmission flange to the starter. Pull starter out.
