Start me up

[j4]

Had trouble starting the car this morning. I've noticed it's done the same thing a few times now, and I don't entirely understand why. What happens is:

1. I try to start the car, get a whirring sound and then nothing. Nada. Nil. Starter does absolutely zilch from then on, until:

2. I try to start it with the handle, and the engine turns over but doesn't start. There's no kickback from the starting-handle (which there sometimes is); just nothing happens.

3. I try to start it again properly, and this time it fires up perfectly.

I'm wondering if something is out of line, out of sync, or something (okay, so I have no idea, I'm guessing wildly with very little supporting knowledge) and turning the engine over is just lining it up? It's very annoying, anyway, although it makes a good spectator sport, particularly when it happens at work.

* * *

In other news: Had a lovely evening with lnr last night. Sin-free lasagne with weird not-really-white-sauce topping came out much better than I expected; dessert was wonderful. (;-)

Absolutely shattered this morning, mind, but still managed to get up, phone people about job application forms etc., and get into work only 10 minutes late. Go me.

I have a counselling appointment in about an hour's time. Ironically, that's about the only thing I'm feeling really miserable and stressy about at this precise moment... Hey ho.

Comments

[chrisvenus]

Well, I'm no mechanic but I have tinkered a bit. That lack of any noise is clearly the starter motor as you said. If I recall correctly a jammed starter motor usually goes "clunk" or "click" or something rather than making no noise at all. If this was the case though then I can happily believe that using the handle might mechanically disengage the starter motor in a way that the electric start wouldn't have done. However, I am not sure what would cause the starter motor to stick really.

I'm not sure I believe other people's comments on fuel lines since even if there is no petrol anywhere in the car turning the key should turn over the engine via the starter motor (which is entirely battery powered). Next time it does it I'd suggest peering at the starter motor to see if it looks alright. And in fact I would suggest peering at it before then to know what it should like like and where it is.

Oh, and lastly I should disclaim that I have never tinkered with a car as old as yours so it could be that what I am saying is only really valid on newer cars. Certainly I have no idea where the starting-handle comes into things or what kickback or lack of it might mean. :)

Anyway, good luck with sorting it.

[j4.livejournal.com]

turning the key should turn over the engine via the starter motor

Turning the key switches the ignition on (and that bit's working okay, or at least I assume it is, because the light comes on that says it's working). The starter motor is controlled separately.

Mind you I don't know enough about modern cars to know how much difference this (or any of the rest of it) might make! Before I got this car I didn't even know how an internal combustion engine worked. :)

Re:

[chrisvenus]

OK. Well, it sounds to me like your car is well behind the times that I am used to. Give me auto-choke, electronically controlled fuel injection, ABS and air conditioning please. So much easier. :) Least I don't have one of those automatic gear boxes anyway. :)

[brrm.livejournal.com]

Electronically-managed engines are all very well until something goes wrong with the computer. :)
(or a marten chews through an essential control wire, as happened to my parents)
Said marten also chewed through a brake servo pipe on their van, with the result that I drove off down the hill from their house to discover completely unassisted brakes. Oops.