Electrical problems

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Mon May 07, 2007 5:04 pm

Ok so i was driving along happily on my way back from varsity, stopped at the robot and my engine died, nothing new there, happens alot when its cold.. Problem was when i tried to start it again.. It just made a TERRIBLE grating noise and didn't even seem to be turning the engine over.. Then suddenly turning the key didn't have any affect at all.. The ignition light still worked tho.. Fortunately a fellow Ghia owner happened to be passing by.. He gave me a push-start and the car ran fine.. Unfortunately it still wouldn't start.. Took the battery out the next day, had it checked and charged and the battery seemed perfectly fine, if a bit low on charge.. I put it back in today to see if charging it helped.. When i turned the key all that happened was a blown fuse.. I replaced the fuse but it still won't start, however it still push starts fine.. Any ideas what the problem could be? Ignition? Starter motor? Any ideas welcome.. Cheers

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Mon May 07, 2007 5:13 pm

The wire that goes on to your solenoid could have come off or have a bad connection. It is a push lug connection and as they get old they tend to vibrate loose. It is connection 50 in the following drawing, it is a thinner wire than the one coming from the battery to the screw lug. That is most probably what caused the fuse to blow as it came loose and is touching the starter or body somewhere causing your 12V to go straight to ground.

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:06 pm

Thanx I'l check that out tomorrow. Hope thats the only problem!

Post by **Tony Z** » Mon May 07, 2007 9:12 pm

when you turn the key, what happens? Do you get absolutely nothing (total silence) or is there a sound coming from the engine bay. A click maybe, or maybe a spinning (winding) sound??? Do the lights on the dash dim? Full details please

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Mon May 07, 2007 9:30 pm

At first there was a noisy grating winding sound, but now i get absolutely nothing (except a blown fuse). The lights still come on tho but don't dim (as far as i know, will check tomorrow for certain).

Post by **Tony Z** » Mon May 07, 2007 9:36 pm

If you get absolute silence, I would check my ground connections first (1 on (near) battery and one on (near) starter) and check the other, positive connections.

If nothing, then pull out the starter and bench test it to see what is (or isnt) happening.

Pull out the battery and starter and put them on the bench (or floor). disconnect the jumper that sits across the 2 pos terminals on the starter.
Connect battery and starter negatives. Then touch the starter solenoid with the positive. The gear should move outwards --- like its reaching for the flywheel. Then connect the pos to the other pos on the starter - this should spin the gear.
See whats happening and maybe you can get it fixed or use it as a trade in on a recon starter

Rabid_ant · Post by **Rabid_ant** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:24 pm

hhmhmm....must agree with both. Seems the wire could have come loose while starting, causing the bendix to catch the flywheel before engaging properly, causing the fantastic grating sound. FI that dont work, then Tony is spot on. Could be that the solenoid kicked the bucket if the wires connected still.

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:03 am

Thanx for all the advice, will check it out today or tomorrow.

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:32 am

Thanx to all those who gave me advice. The problem is now sorted (it WAS in fact jus a wire that had come loose and was earthing itself on the starter motor)

Post by **Tony Z** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:05 pm

well done... and by checking it yourself you didnt get ripped off, and charged R300 for labour and R550 for a recon starter....

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Thu May 10, 2007 4:06 pm

This is the value of this forum, we all learn, save and give in all sorts of manner.

Rincewind · Post by **Rincewind** » Thu May 10, 2007 5:21 pm

Too true.. Thank you acvwsa! Here's to many more years with my Ghia :->