Hi There, I have just bought this Mondial QV from the video below. I am loving the car, however I think I have encountered one of several potential common problems. The car starts fine from cold but when hot the car doesn’t start. Looking through the history it has had a starter motor fairly recently. The starter motor doesn’t turn or even click. I have found rocking the car in gear sometimes helps - which does suggest starter. I have seen comments about a relay mod - what is the exact specification for this ? I broke down on Sunday and fitted a new battery and bypassed the isolator switch and cleaned everything up with wire wool. Before I broke down I braked to allow a car to pass, this then made the engine stutter and eventually cut out. Got the car started (eventually) and then it cut out again going up hill. My plan of attack is as follows; 1. clean up main engine earth, replace if necessary. Check starter motor connections 2. install relay mod once properly understood 3. if problem persists maybe try removing immobiliser. open up other suggestions, photos and diagrams appreciated to help locate. Previously owned lots of 80s BMWs and still own a Porsche 911 964, so enjoy a challenge ! This forum looks very useful.
First thing when starting hot- is the starter motor not engaging or is it turning engine over and not firing ? The starter motor mod is an extra relay fitted as a primary to the starter solenoid- these cars suffer fuse box degradation and you lose voltage levels due to bad contacts, fuse box getting too old etc, you can get a brand new one from someone on here who makes them. The extra relay takes the start volt signal and then passes it to the solenoid on the starter. Works well No point in bypass of isolator switch unless it has a resistance reading over it engine cutting out can be injectors need a clean- find a bottle of redex injector cleaner and allow tank to drop to 1/4, add redex full bottle and go drive the nuts of it. if you get problems starting car when hot( starter turning ok) it might be down to ruptured accumulator on the discharge side of the electric fuel pump, this is located behind rear drivers wheel liner. Car will start fine from cold but starter will turn over for ages before it starts. You have hot fuel lines and if accumulator is not working then no fuel pressure in lines and fuel becomes gas from engine heat. are you sure you have an immobiliser, usually on underside of plate under passengers feet
It is not turning over, solenoid not even clicking. what ampage is the relay required ? I don’t believe it is injectors as too coincidental that it happened just before car wouldn’t restart.
I did have this problem and changed almost everything until I found 1 coil going bad. Changed this coil and no start problem since.
Take the rear wheel off ( i think it is rear left from memory) and remove the single signal wire from the solenoid, check if you get 12 volts when key is turned. Need to do this first as ignition switch is known to give problems. Can you read wiring diagrams as i can e mail you one. Simple system. Send e mail address If you have immobiliser it will isolate starter and fuel pump normally.
What you have been through - many of us have experienced the same or similar for various reasons. Once the car gets sorted ($ usually) the pluses of Mondial ownership will appear often. It is possible vs. impossible to predict whether the car will increase in value ahead of an owner’s spending rate. My multiple Zen driving experiences over 20 years have been worth the cost. I wish you well. SG Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-do-i-remove-a-mon Sounds like it could be oxidized contacts on the ignition switch. This old thread might help.
If you want the relay, which is a cheap and good addition, google "bosch wr1". Should get you what you need along with the wiring diagram. FWIW, I put my relay on the board holding the computers and relays in the trunk so it is not exposed to the elements. Regards, Jerry
Ah, the famous ex-John Pogson Mondial! The previous owner posted a few times about the car on the Pistonheads forums, I can probably find a link if you haven't seen it. Good to see another UK owner. I'm afraid I can't offer much technical support as the few issues I've had with mine so far I had to get a specialist to sort. Whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm in the West Midlands. Bee good to see you out and about (I've never seen another Mondial anywhere I've been to yet).
I am loving the car, based in Norfolk so a bit far. Every time I take it out people say how much they like it
Progress update. I have fitted the relay which seems to have solved the starting issue. I have replaced the fuel pump fuse holder with an inline blade fuse holder.”, which hopefully solve the cutting out issue. A melted plastic fuse helped to identify the cause. Now just fixing the wiper stack, just waiting on puller to remove the steering wheel boss. All minor jobs that should have been done, and I can’t see how they haven’t been
I don't want to sound like I'm ragging on your car, but considering that car's provenance and price it was advertised for, they really should have been.
