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

[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.