Poor starting...

[Archbish]

...not what you think - the engine is fine!!!

Basically, the symptoms are the engine will not turn over most of the time I turn the key.  It takes between 1 and 10 key turns before it actually turns the engine at all.  I\'ve replaced the starter motor, thinking it might be that jamming, but the symptoms are identical (btw, if anyone needs a starter motor... *grin*).

I guess it must be a dodgy connection somewhere, but if anyone has any direct suggestions, I\'d be grateful...

all the lights come on, and you can hear the fuel pump kick in - everything apart from the engine actually turning over (The most similar thing is it acts as if the battery doesn\'t have the guts to turn the engine over - only it isn\'t that as it rolls with ease on the time it does work)...

It\'s driving me nuts.

[Brett]

I\'d starting looking for a guilty looking Earth cable on the starter.  Had this problem b4 on some other cars.

[clive]

Hi OJ, sorry to hear your having problems, have a look behind the ignition barrel on the short loom assembly that connects to it.

With a piece of wire you should be able to bridge out between the connections and get the engine to turn over, if it does this will mean the contacts are worn behind the barrel.

Failing that look for a start relay.

//www.iluvmyrx7.com will give you a wiring diagram to trace which one is the start relay.    

Hope this helps

[Carl]

OJ\'s car is an auto.
I reckon it is the switch in the box.
regards
Carl

[clive]

OJ\'s car is an auto.
I reckon it is the switch in the box.
regards
Carl

Hi Carl,

Do you mean the start inhibit, he may find then that a waggle of the gear leaver may help while turning the key.

If not  he should be able to bridge this out on the gear box loom to check if its the culprit

[andrewrx7]

I had something very similar a few years ago: key in ignition, turn on, all lights light up, various clicks from actuators etcs, then turn the key to fire the engine up and nothing. No clicks from the starter either. Would sit there turning the key many times before it finally started.
Was finally traced to a corroded earthing point.

[Archbish]

Brilliant - cheers guys, I\'ll have a play... *grin*

[wedgiekray]

Did you manage to fix this? I\'ve had the same problem for over a year, thought i should actually try sorting it out now