[Engine] Yet another intermittent starting issue!

[Barry L]

Hi, all! My 1.6i petrol Multispace has developed an annoying non-starting problem, but it only seems to happen every third or fourth start-up...

A few months ago, I decided to change the noisy starter motor (the bearings rattle and groan on "over-run" after the engine starts and key released), so I bought a new one, changed it over, and off I went...until this problem began.

As it happens, the engine light (spanner) is showing that I need to get it serviced, although as I only use the car once in a blue moon, I can't remember if the mileage is counting down to the service miles, or up, beyond when it should've been serviced...and it crossed my mind that it might just have  some sort of "warning" facility that if this service interval is ignored or just not reset at service, then perhaps it might have a "cut-off" software in the ECU that's basically warning me to get it serviced, or one day it just won't start at all...? Seems mad, even as I type it, but I've known a similar system in other vehicles, and so I wondered..

Thing is, it's so random - one day, I'll get in, it'll start, and so on for another two, three or even four starts...then not even the solenoid will click or try to engage the pinion, etc - yet it'll bump-start no trouble! I've even gone as far as using a link wire across the ignition switch poles to twitch a 12v feed to the solenoid supply - that also works & it'll turn over and start, no problem! I've also swapped the old starter back in (and out again, many times!), thinking it might've been a faulty new unit, but even with the old one, the issue still arises... (And I've also checked the engine earth connections are good and clean)...

Aside from the possible ECU software "warning", then, I also wonder if it might just be the ignition key-switch pole/contact wearing out, as I can bypass it with a dab across the connectors - but that could also be bypassing any ECU relay switching...?

What do you guys think?

[Trevor]

You can reset the service light yourself, that should rule one problem out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI49KOSR-AM

[Sol]

You probably just have a worn ignition barrel switch and are over-thinking it. The service reminder is just that, the car won't stop you from starting it, just to make you get serviced.

If you can bump it, or jumper the ignition switch, then it's the ignition switch that's the faulty item.

If the ECU didn't want you to start the engine, like when immobilised, it cuts the fuel. Then it wouldn't start, even if you towed it with a 747....

[Barry L]

Thanks, guys!
Secondary starter button fitment, coming right up! ;-)

[Barry L]

Cheers for the tips, chaps - problem solved!

I reset the service reminder (thanks for that link, Trevor!), then fitted an auxiliary starter button for those odd occasions when it won't turn over on the ignition key-switch (though strangely enough, it's started every single time on the key, since!   )...

[BLINGO BOMBA]

Cheers for the tips, chaps - problem solved!

I reset the service reminder (thanks for that link, Trevor!), then fitted an auxiliary starter button for those odd occasions when it won't turn over on the ignition key-switch (though strangely enough, it's started every single time on the key, since!   )...

Hi Barry, how did you wire in the aux starter?  Think i may need to do same, random no start, then starts.

[cancunia]

Cheers for the tips, chaps - problem solved!

I reset the service reminder (thanks for that link, Trevor!), then fitted an auxiliary starter button for those odd occasions when it won't turn over on the ignition key-switch (though strangely enough, it's started every single time on the key, since!   )...

Hi Barry, how did you wire in the aux starter?  Think i may need to do same, random no start, then starts.

I've attached a diagram of the starter circuit, from what I remember the last time I looked at it in detail, the starter solenoid wiring goes from the ignition switch via the BSM which is behind the passenger side headlight. It should be reasonably easy to check the wiring path for bad connections etc and also add an inline starter switch if needed.