Won't start sometimes...

[Super Ace-K]

Recently in the S12, I turn the key and it won't start. All I get is a click and that's all. Seems to be if I let it idle back to normal before switching off the engine it works okay or if I just switch off engine then don't come back for a while it works. But for example, tonight I went to get petrol then when I filled up and got back into the car it wouldn't start for about 10-15 mins of trying, then tried once more and it started up.

So I either wait for 5-10 mins before switching engine off

or

Switch it off right away and then don't come back for an hour or something.

Any one know what this is, seems stupid that I can't do something simple like get petrol or call into the shop.

[northerner]

Sounds like its flooding. If it doesnt start straight away take out the Fuel pump fuse and turn it over for around ten seconds to clear it. Then put it back in again and try it. May need an injector cleaner in the tank or even a new fuel filter which are only a tenner. Hope this helps matey

[wacomuk]

Originally Posted by Super Ace-K

All I get is a click and that's all.

sounds like your starter motor needs replacing

[PukkaSilvia]

is it cranking over on the starter?
as above sounds like the starter motor if not.

in emergency hit the starter with a hammer and a bar lol.(free's it up)

[Super Ace-K]

Bit of an update. It still does it sometimes but I'm not sure if this is pure coincidence or it's actually doing something but when I go from say "D" in the auto gear box and push it up into "P" while I turn the ignition it seems to start.....

[wacomuk]

dont you have to be in park P to start?

[Super Ace-K]

Yeah that's what I'm saying when it's in P just by itself all I get is a click and the fans kicking in but engine won't start. I have to like jiggle gear stick up into P through the other gears while turning key and then something catches and engine starts. Fella in work was saying maybe it's the inhibitor switch?

[Super Ace-K]

okay, another update. It's nothing to do with gears as i've been starting car each time in N for neutral. Narrowed the problem down and its simply a heating issue. If the engine is hot it wont start and notice the twin fans aren't kicking in, they start and stop. So i have to wait for engine to cool down before it starts again which has left me stranded in places up to half an hour.

Any advice?

[northerner]

Originally Posted by Super Ace-K

okay, another update. It's nothing to do with gears as i've been starting car each time in N for neutral. Narrowed the problem down and its simply a heating issue. If the engine is hot it wont start and notice the twin fans aren't kicking in, they start and stop. So i have to wait for engine to cool down before it starts again which has left me stranded in places up to half an hour.

Any advice?

The starting has nothing to do with the fans I wired in. They have fused and relayed power and are not in anyway linked to the starting system. They are activated via a temp switch I installed in the thermostat housing.
I'm almost certain your problem is fueling

[Super Ace-K]

Yeah thats what I mean, i think there may be a loose wire with the fans as they aren't kicking in when the engine gets hot. I opened the bonnet last night and it was like opening an oven, looked to the fans and they weren't spinning. Anytime i've got into car after driving it for a while, say calling into the shop, when I get back in and try to start the engine, it wont until its cooled down which takes 15-20 mins of sitting as everytime it eventually starts the temperature guage is down below the middle.