geoffandjen

Wolfie, Sorry, left the new relay with the car. What will it tell me? geoff

Hi, Help please. I have had an electrical starting problem for a few weeks. I have posted on the trainee help page. Got worse friday night, the engine now turns over and fires but cuts straight out - car unusable. Phoned my very good local car electronic expert, and explained the full symptoms. He diagnosed relay 30. I spent some time yesterday getting hold of a spare. got one and went to car this morning (20 miles away). Dropped fuse panel and searched for relay 30. there is no relay 30 on the fuse panel. Found 2 others up behind instrument panel, again no relay 30. Checked in small black box under bonnet behind battery. Still no relay 30. All relays I came across, I removed and checked the pin arrangements to see if I had a different number, and only found one with same pinouts (in the main fuse panel). In desperation swapped it but did not resolve starting problem. Has my electrical expert and the main dealer who sold me relay 30 for a 97 V6 2.8 Gal got it wrong?? No Haynes manual for my model. Any advice would be much appreciated. Geoff

Thank God I didnt say to the engine.......... Neil, No you didn't suggest it, I just read it that way. Thanks for the clarification. A few things to try, plus thanks Bigdaddy for starter motor suggestion. Will be checking all options starting with cheapest. Geoff

Hi All, Just posted first topic on new member help as I have a starting problem. Amazed at the quick responses received so far. Bought our 97 Galaxy 2.8i Ghia X when it was 3 years old, and touch wood, have had almost no serious problems to date. Overall very pleased with it, and last year bought caravan, so towing also. Love the space and drive, but a few irritations caused by bits of plastic falling off! Picked up quite a few tips reading this site, and hoping to be able to help a few others along the way. Geoff

Chris, Thank you for your thoughts. I intend to change the battery first as it is under warranty and KF have offered to do so, if the recharge does not work. This is the cheapest/easiest solution - if it solves the problem. Neil, I will do the negative jump lead test also. Just for clarity - I connect a jump lead to negative at the battery, and anywhere on the engine and try a start. If it starts OK then the problem is the earth cable to the engine - correct? Second bit, I place jump lead on battery positive and anywhere on the engine again? What will this tell me? Sorry but I am a novice on electrics. Geoff

Thanks Chaps. The Kwik Fit guy said to give it a charge and then see if that makes a difference. I have just this week bought a battery charger but need a couple of days to fully charge it. My warranty is valid for another few months on the battery. I will watch it over the next few cold days and take i back if the fully charged battery deteriorates again. thanks again I will let you know how i get on. PS My Wife said it must be the battery! what do I know? Cheers Geoff

Hi All, Have been watching this site for a little while, absolutely brilliant information. Need some help with unusual starting problem. I have a Jan 97 2.8i Galaxy Ghia x. Had the car 6 years and been very happy (apart from petrol bill!). Battery replaced 2 years ago, and also recently had electrician fix Aircon front blower motor. Since then, have had the unusual starting problem. Most times now, the starter really struggles to turn engine, turns very slowly, but gets a little bit faster, clicking begins, if key stays turned. After about 6-10 secs car fires into life. Runs no problem. Car used daily, this situation repeats itself almost all of the time. although occasionally it starts completely normally! Suspected flat battery and had to use jump leads a couple of times, a slight improvement to the starting pattern occurred after a long journey, but had the battery looked at (by Kwik Fit who supplied it). Battery appears ok. Some of the symptoms match the relay 30 problems I have just read about, but not all. I am suspicious that the electrician may have disturbed something during his dashboard partial removal for Aircon problem. If anybody can help with this diagnosis, I would be very grateful. I am no mechanic, although years ago used to fix everything on my Escort 1300 GT Mk 1. Regards Geoff