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Discussion in '308/328' started by [email protected], Jul 27, 2011.

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  1. tim@timmikel.com

    [email protected] Rookie

    Mar 21, 2009
    49
    Ventura, CA
    Full Name:
    Tim Mikel
    #1 [email protected], Jul 27, 2011
    Hi Guys, Went to start my '89 328 GTS this morning. Turned the key, all dash lights came on, heard the usual humming, and then nothing! No turnover at all. Seems like plenty juice, just nothing getting to the starter. This has happened before occasionally, but after another try or two, the car will start, but not this time. Do any of you have any ideas? Thanks, Tim
     
  2. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,872
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    #2 mike996, Jul 27, 2011
    Any solenoid "clicking/chattering?"

    Seems "bad connection" oriented but could be a bad battery. Takes nearly no power to run the lights/fuel pump compared to cranking an engine. So my approach would be to first do a voltage check on the battery as it sits in the car with nothing turned on. If it isn't at least 12.3V then there's a reasonable chance there's not enough power to crank though there should be enough to cause the solenoid to engage and you would hear a heavy click/chatter.

    If you check the batt and the voltage is good - 12.3+ (12.6 is full charge) - then I'd be looking at the battery/starter cables/connections.

    It is possible for a battery to have good voltage but no ability to deliver much current but that usually occurs with considerable age. How old is the batt?
     
  3. tim@timmikel.com

    [email protected] Rookie

    Mar 21, 2009
    49
    Ventura, CA
    Full Name:
    Tim Mikel
    #3 [email protected], Jul 27, 2011
    Thanks for the response Mike. No clicking at all but checked the batt and got 11.7 V. It's been sitting for about a week and a half which is longer than usual (I usually drive it weekly). I'll put it on a charger and see if that helps. Thanks again!! Tim
     
  4. davidgovett

    davidgovett Karting

    Apr 9, 2010
    134
    #4 davidgovett, Jul 27, 2011
    Aha, you may have the parasitic drain problem that these cars are known for. Once the battery is charged up and if that fixes the problem, you may want to look into a battery tender smart trickle charger. It keeps the battery topped off without overcharging it.

    Later, you can check into if anything is draining the system unusually fast.

    Dave
     
  5. tim@timmikel.com

    [email protected] Rookie

    Mar 21, 2009
    49
    Ventura, CA
    Full Name:
    Tim Mikel
    #5 [email protected], Jul 27, 2011
    After charging, it started right up. The battery is only a few years old, so it looks as if I have some kind of slow electrical drainage. I'll try a trickle charger until I can get it to my mechanic to trace the fault.
     
  6. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,872
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    #6 mike996, Jul 27, 2011
    I have not seen that problem but I have to admit then when we (me and the car) are together in MD, it has never sat for more than a week and starts right up. When I'm away I disconnect the ground strap ( I don't care to use unattended chargers) and for as long as 7 months disconnected, the car starts immediately on reconnection.
     

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