ford sierra starting problems

[j rodrigues]

Hi everyony.
Please help. I have a Ford Sierra GT 2.0 DOHC Injection, K reg, my problem is: When I start the car for the first time, it starts OK, but when I drive for 6 to 10 miles and stop the engine and if I start again it doesn't start, it sounds like a flat battery, I know that the battery is ok because it is a new heavy duty, I also install a new starter motor and the problem remains. Please can anyone help?
J Rodrigues

[Chris]

Moved to the 'Lifestyle' forum. :)

:welcome: to Cable Forum, J.R. :D

[Steve H]

What happens when you try to start it?

Does it turn over? Or does it just do nothing?

Can't really tell from the description you've put there, but its possible your alternator has done one, and it isn't charging your battery as your driving.... do you have a lot of things on whilst driving.... Fans (use alot of power believe it or not)... Radio, Lights?

[j rodrigues]

Thank for your prompt reply.
It. Doesn,turn over, it tends to but then just clicks, but if I whait 15 to 20 minuts, it starts ok again.
Thanks
J Rodrigues

[Paul K]

Have you tested the starter to make sure it is actually working correctly? We had a similar problem a number of years ago and it turned out the replacement starter was faulty.

[Bifta]

Have you tested the starter to make sure it is actually working correctly? We had a similar problem a number of years ago and it turned out the replacement starter was faulty.

Same thing used to happen to me on an old Mk2 escort, used to give the starter motor a tap with a hammer and it'd start straight away.

[Roy MM]

Could be the solenoid

[Flubflow]

Check that the wiring to the starter motor, solenoid & battery are all OK (undo and clean all the connections).
Sometimes you get a dirty/corroded connection that works some of the time but, under load with high current when starting, will randomly fail.

[paulyoung666]

good place to start i reckon , another 1 if you can , is to get the car in a dark garage and turn it over , you may see some sparking that could be the problem , obviously dont stay in a locked garage with the engine running :erm:


edit :- just reread and as above , the solenoid is looking a likely bet :)

[j rodrigues]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have recently changed the starter motor, and a few weeks before that it had a new battery. The problem is still there.

What happens during the problem, is that the engine turns over very slowly and then fails to turn over, just like it would with a flat battery. At a local garage they tested the current going to the starter motor and found it to be well over 750 Amps (so he said).

Seems as though something is physically preventing the engine from turning over.

Any help and ideas are greatly appreciated.

[paulyoung666]

if you depress the clutch when turning it over does it make any difference ????? :)

[Tuftus]

The engine turning over very slowly may be corroded / loose connections to the S Motor / solenoid, or the engine earth strap.

I would, as suggested above, ensure these connections are nice and shiny by giving them a good wire brush or file, then cover them in vaseline or grease to ensure no damp gets to them.

[paulyoung666]

The engine turning over very slowly may be corroded / loose connections to the S Motor / solenoid, or the engine earth strap.

I would, as suggested above, ensure these connections are nice and shiny by giving them a good wire brush or file, then cover them in vaseline or grease to ensure no damp gets to them.


i reckon you are right , i was just trying to elimate the gearbox , i know it is very unlikely but there you go :erm:

[Tuftus]

Well you never know Paul...

Cars are like women I guess!

:D

[paulyoung666]

right ...... , gonna throw another one in the pot , if the engine management has decided to mess about with the ignition timing then it could cause the engine to turn over very slowly , in effect it could be a case of an old distributor being swung too far , just a thought you understand :erm:

[Tuftus]

right ...... , gonna throw another one in the pot , if the engine management has decided to mess about with the ignition timing then it could cause the engine to turn over very slowly , in effect it could be a case of an old distributor being swung too far , just a thought you understand :erm:

See where you are comming from but surely the engine would turn but not fire or fire at the wrong time?

[Roy MM]

right ...... , gonna throw another one in the pot , if the engine management has decided to mess about with the ignition timing then it could cause the engine to turn over very slowly , in effect it could be a case of an old distributor being swung too far , just a thought you understand :erm:

Sorry Paul, regardless of the timing the starter motor would still turn the engine over at a good speed to start it, i'm still looking at connections, batt>solenoid>starter motor, the timing advance/retard would need to be reset if it had been touched, or the vacumn pipe ruptured.

[paulyoung666]

See where you are comming from but surely the engine would turn but not fire or fire at the wrong time?


it would depend if the mapping thinks it is cold when it is really hot , if you see what i mean , i had an audi once that took great delight in bringing the auto choke on when it was hot , flooded it with fuel and died on me , a manual choke kit sorted it , do you see where i am coming from now :)


edit :- Sorry Paul, regardless of the timing the starter motor would still turn the engine over at a good speed to start it, i'm still looking at connections, batt>solenoid>starter motor, the timing advance/retard would need to be reset if it had been touched, or the vacumn pipe ruptured. , from experience it may be the problem , i say maybe not is :angel:

[budwieser]

The engine turning over very slowly may be corroded / loose connections to the S Motor / solenoid, or the engine earth strap.

I would, as suggested above, ensure these connections are nice and shiny by giving them a good wire brush or file, then cover them in vaseline or grease to ensure no damp gets to them.
Earth strap is a good place to start mate!
Check the Earth to the starter and Bodywork and also the Red lead from the Battery to the starter itself, all contacts should have good clean bright metal.
Failing that you could try the ignition switch.

[Tuftus]

Earth strap is a good place to start mate!
Check the Earth to the starter and Bodywork and also the Red lead from the Battery to the starter itself, all contacts should have good clean bright metal.
Failing that you could try the ignition switch.

Indeed! I had a mini (many years ago) that sheared the top tie bar that also shared the earth strap, needless to say that was a pig to start and caused a red face since I was first in the cue at the lights in my 'boy racer' mini :nutter:

[j rodrigues]

Thank you all for your help. I have installed a new starter motor and it semes to be ok, apparently a screw on the selonoid was snaped, so they installed this one free of charge.

I have not driven the car far enough yete to get it hot, bcause that is when the problem starts, I will let you know if everything is ok.