rxsammy

Ok, so took the car out today and surprise, surprise it wouldn't start at the supermarket. Luckily I was ready for it this time and had some tools with me. I did the following troubleshooting.. 1. Took off steering surround and checked the points at the back of the ignition switch. Yep getting power when I switch the key to start, and doesn't make any difference if I put a jumper between constant and the starter output. So probably rules that out as the problem, thanks for the suggestion. 2. Put a jumper between constant and starter terminal on solenoid. Nothing. It was sparking etc so there was power there. Yep it is hard on a ke, managed it with a a stubby screwdriver. 3. So then I took the starter out (only because I couldn't get the wire back on the starter terminal) and thought well I might as well try the jumper on the constant and starter terminal while it's out, and hey presto the starter worked. Put the starter wire back on and it worked when I turned the key. Popped the starter back in and it started up fine. So now I'm more confused than before! :) I'm guessing that it is a solenoid issue, I'll call the auto elec tomorrow and see what they think.

altezzaclub I don't think it is the ignition barrel because the wire to the solenoid is getting power when I turn the ignition to start, and the dash lights dim etc. I'm really not sure what it could be now. I might just take it to a professional. I really doubt the relay solution will fix it as it seems to be getting power fine. I'll let you know how I go.

No not yet, that was my next point of call. Next time it's playing up I'll check if the starter turns if I put a jumper wire between the constant 12v and the starter terminal on the solenoid. It wasn't before I got the starter reco'd. If it does I'll try putting in a relay. If not, I'm not sure, maybe just take it to where I got the starter reco'd. I checked the starter solenoid wire with a multimeter and its getting 12.4v when I turn the ignition to start. I would have throught that would be enough, maybe amps are low tho. We'll see..

Thanks for your suggestion Kaylee23, but I'm pretty sure its an electrical problem of some sort. Car starts fine when I push start it. Teeth look good, it's not a meshing problem I don't think because when it doesn't start the starter just doesn't do anything. Starter motor isn't spinning, solenoid isn't clicking, no noise at all. I was going to try and trouble shoot it a bit this morning but the bloody thing started up perfectly! Now I've gotta wait for it to play up again so I can try and find the problem..

Well it started 4-5 times, now doing the same thing, so frustrating!

Did some trouble shooting and it ended up being a problem in the starter. I took it out, got it reconditioned, popped it back in and started up fine. Wasn't as tricky as I thought getting it out from the top, even managed to do it with a couple of broken ribs :) Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Nah I didn't end up getting the lovells, decided I'll go 86 struts soon. Thanks

2nd vote for 195/60 or 205/60, will be good and an easyish size to find. If you can't find any tyres with white lettering you can buy white tyre marker pens and colour the letters yourself. I've done it before and it came up pretty good. If your car is pretty low you might get some rubbage. Could fit 185/60 if rubbing is an issue.

Thats for the info altezzaclub, I did a bit of reading up and know a bit more about how starters work now. I'm heading interstate for a week so won't have a chance to look at it until I'm back. But will let you know how I go. Also found this article online which has some good info on trouble-shooting the problem: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#OtherOptions It outlines adding a relay if I find the issue is in the wiring not the solenoid (like ke70dave mentioned). This article outlines that a bit more simply I think: http://autofix.com.au/blog/fitting-an-auxiliary-starter-motor-relay Cheers.

So that's expensive then I'm guessing? I remember replacing starters on other cars and they were usually only around the $70 mark. Would repco or similar be able to get them in you think?

I'm yet to get under the car and investigate, but if power is getting to the starter fine and it ends up that I need a new starter motor where is the best place to source one from? Are the ones off ebay alright, they go for around $150.

Thanks for the info. Gives me some good ideas on where to start looking. Is it unusual that the problem is intermittent (e.g. starts perfect sometimes, not at all others..)? So you replaced your starter and no change? Damn, I don't want that to happen..

I know it's so annoying! Mine doesn't click or anything when it doensn't work. You turn it to start and not a sound.. Sometimes I'll try it and nothing will happen, come back to it hours later and it's will start up perfect like normal. I'll check if it starts when I get home from work tonight, I don't think it will this time though. Yes I'll go over all the wires when I get a chance, just need to get it into the garage and jack it up. Why did they have to put the starter in that spot!

Hi Guys, I did a bit of a search and found a few people with the same problem but just hoping people could save me a bit of time by pointing me in the right direction. I'm having intermittent problems with the starter in my ke70. Usually it will start fine but sometimes I'll turn the ignition to start and nothing will happen at all. Usually I'll push start it and by the time I get whereever I'm going the starter is working again. But it's getting worse and worse now. Brake light on dash comes on and clock/radio etc dim so I presume the ignition barrel is working. From other peoples experience it sounds like the wire and or terminals etc going to the starter (which run under the exhaust mani) might be perished and not conducting as they should. Do you think this would be the problem? And if so whats my best plan of action? Get under the car with a multimeter and see if I can find the point at which no power is getting through when I turn the ignition to start? Getting a bit frustrating now, resorting to parking the car on hills for now :-/

New shoes...

Car's looking great! You can see my white e7 in your first winterfest pic, good photo.

Car is now lower Its sporting some roof racks I scored off ebay too. Be getting some rims when I've got some money too. Thinking StarSharks if I can find some. Prob 14x6.5 between +10-0 offset. Nothing too nuts. Trying to find some ke30 LCA's too, they seem to be cheaper than xt130's.

Anyone got a good cond SE badge to suit ke70? Also looking for a cs-x badge for a friend. Cheers guys. Thinking bout chucking a 5 speed in as my next mod. Do quite a few hwy k's. Car is losing coolant too, lost about 2 liters on a 300km drive. Any recomendations on a place to get my radiator pressure tested and flushed etc. Preferably around Brunswick, Coburg, Preston etc. Cheers.

Few of my highlights of the day..

Thanks guys. Yeah Ben gimme a buzz whenever, I'm on holidays from uni so am around quite a bit. Not sure if I'll make it on Sunday yet. Was planning on it but things just keep popping up, I'll try n make it there tho. Be good to put some names to faces. Been up at Dromana the last few days, car drove great, didn't miss a beat and the 4sp wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. When I had a 4sp in my old 808 it sounded like it was gonna blow up when I drove it at 100. Heres a quick pic..

Car is rego'd and on the road, Hooray!

So I finally got RWC today. Booked in for rego next Monday. Can't wait to have it on the road. Good to have it out today, drives a dream.

Was following your cars on AE86dc. All look dope as, keep up the good work :)

I used Bell Powder-coating years ago to bead blast and powder-coat a bike frame, was really cheap and very happy with the outcome. i know other people who have used them and never heard anything negative.

Spotted driving down smith St Collingwood, blue ke70 with roof rack n nanna visor, sick rims too. Can't wait to get my e7 on the road!