Jimbo73 Posted February 26, 2008 Report Posted February 26, 2008 Hello all, Once again my Galaxy is causing problems... Hopefully not a big problem.... Anyway, I went out on Saturday in the Galaxy and it was great - no problems, started okay, drove great. Gets up this morning and it won't start. When I turn the key to start, the car makes a noise like it is turning to start, but the engine never catches, and doesn't sound like it is going to. In the past, the odd time on startup when the car has started as soon as the engine catches there is a medium to loud high pithced growly whirring noise which lasts about a second. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. The ignition lights all seem to be normal. Tried a jump start from my passat. Anyway, I know the battery is okay, the next thing I can think of testing is the starter motor, where is the starter motor and how do I test it, and is there anything that it is more likely to be, or has anyone had this problem before. I don't mind getting out there and doing a bit under the car. I am not the best , but I cannot afford a garage so I have to do it myself..... Any help is mostly appreciated... If its not in my signature I have a 2.3Ghia V Reg Petrol Galaxy - Quote
NikpV Posted February 26, 2008 Report Posted February 26, 2008 does the little led on the door do anything odd? - I know that the petrol and diesel variants implement the pAT system differently petrols wont start and diesels start and die (or vice versa) - if you have a second key try that Quote
Jimbo73 Posted February 26, 2008 Author Report Posted February 26, 2008 Just tried the other key, and no change... I watched the LED on the door, and it didnt do anything... Just as normal when the ignition is turned to pos 1 it comes on, when I try to start it the light doesn't flash or anything..... Ah well... Whats next. Is the starter motor to the right of the engine block about mid way down? If it is it seems pretty big. There was a lead on top of it plugged in which is blue (I think) and another 2 or 3 inches below that, I unlplugged them both and checked the connections, they both seemed okay. When I unplugged the lower one, I though I will try to turn the engine over, and there was nothing... So I am guessing that is the starter motor... I am thinking of joining the AA online tonight (homestart) and get them out on Saturday? Or is that a bit dodgy. I would love to do it myself though, as I have felt a sense of acheivement and pride with the other few jobs I have done on the car. Thanks. Quote
gregers Posted February 26, 2008 Report Posted February 26, 2008 dunno if this will work(used to on older cars)if you suspect the starter to be the culprit give it a gentle tap with a hammer(iirc)it might be a STICKING solenoid?then try starting it. Quote
Jimbo73 Posted February 27, 2008 Author Report Posted February 27, 2008 (edited) Well------ I came home from work, took a long and nasty look at the car... Got in and thought I will give it one more go, and after a few seconds it started...It ran a bit rough for about a minute, then it was great again. I took it for a short drive, and it was okay, back on the drive and it started 1st time no probs.. Any ideas anyone????? EDIT - I have just checked the oil and it is a little low, it is at the bottom doodaa on the dipstick, I am going to put oil in right away. It is not at the top not in the middle just level with the bottom notch (what is the technical term). Thanks. Edited February 27, 2008 by Jimbo73 Quote
gregers Posted February 27, 2008 Report Posted February 27, 2008 (edited) EDIT - I have just checked the oil and it is a little low, it is at the bottom doodaa on the dipstick, I am going to put oil in right away. It is not at the top not in the middle just level with the bottom notch (what is the technical term). LOW ON OIL :unsure: as you have said put more oil in,and keep an eye on the level,im assuming you havnt got an oil leak? Edited February 27, 2008 by gregers Quote
Jimbo73 Posted February 27, 2008 Author Report Posted February 27, 2008 Defianately no oil leak, it spends most of its time on the drive here, or the same spot in work and there is no oil on either ground below the car... Could the lack of oil prevent it starting though? Quote
makil6 Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 Sounds a bit similar to a problem i had a few months back. Went from starting ok to starting on about the 10th attempt. Then not starting at all. You just get the 'click' when turning the key. Tried all the usual, ie jump start, charge the battery etc. No joy. Took the starter out and gave it to an electrician friend to test. He brought it back and said, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Said the carbon brushes were badly worn that contact wasn't always getting made inside. Got a recon starter for 50 quid from a mate who works for a motor factors and hey presto!! No more staring problems. Until the Turbo failed in december but thats a different story..Hope this helps to resolve or eliminate the problem. Mines a 97 diesel 90hp with 140000 on the clock. MOT fail last week. Minor work required but nothing heavy. Passed yesterday!! Cheers. Quote
Jimbo73 Posted February 28, 2008 Author Report Posted February 28, 2008 OKay... It started again tonight... Wasn't as rough as yesterday, but wasn't as she should be.... Round the block and back , all okay. Question is - Can I put anything like Redex fuel cleaner or anything like that? Is anything recommended or are they just marketing ploys for people like e who do not know much about cars... Quote
joost Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 does the little led on the door do anything odd? - I know that the petrol and diesel variants implement the pAT system differently petrols wont start and diesels start and die (or vice versa) - if you have a second key try that I have also problems with starting. When turning the key, sometimes it does not start and the LED in the door flashes. When I remove the key, wait for the interior lights to switch off, sometimes it starts and LED is on continuously. My car has no remote control for locking/unlocking the doors, the key only contains a led and one battery. I think this is not a technical fault but a security that kicks in when using the key wrongly, for example turning in the wrong direction when locking/unlocking the doors? The spare key does not have a battery or led, I did not use it yet. Can you explain this behaviour? Quote
stevie m Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 I have had problems in the past with the gal when trying to start it. It use to start perfectly, then all of a sudden it became very rough with a nasty grating sound. I felt it may be the starter motor so i took it out and found that the teeth on the end were slightly worn. Sometimes it would start and sometimes it wouldn't. Well after getting a replacement starter motor it was all fine until now. Now when i start the gal it stutters a bit, Struggles to rev up the first time i try, and after becomes perfect then. This only happens the first time i try to start it everyday. I hope i have helped you and can anyone help me ? Quote
gregers Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 I have also problems with starting. When turning the key, sometimes it does not start and the LED in the door flashes. When I remove the key, wait for the interior lights to switch off, sometimes it starts and LED is on continuously. My car has no remote control for locking/unlocking the doors, the key only contains a led and one battery. I think this is not a technical fault but a security that kicks in when using the key wrongly, for example turning in the wrong direction when locking/unlocking the doors? The spare key does not have a battery or led, I did not use it yet. Can you explain this behaviour? hi joost welcome to the forum,as i dont yet know what version car you have im clutching at straws but im wondering whether you have a problem with the central locking module under the passenger seat for your intermittent starting,check for water leaks,look in the faqs in the technical section on the forum, iirc all your keys will have an immobilizer chip within the key. hth Quote
joost Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 hi joost welcome to the forum,as i dont yet know what version car you have im clutching at straws but im wondering whether you have a problem with the central locking module under the passenger seat for your intermittent starting,check for water leaks,look in the faqs in the technical section on the forum, iirc all your keys will have an immobilizer chip within the key. hth Thanks! I have a Galaxy 2.0I 8v Cool Edition from 11/2002 running on LPG.I will try the spare key for a while see if this helps. I did not know about the central locking module under the passenger seat so thanks for this info. There are problems with electric stuff on the right side of the car (airbag warning led on) so could be water. Funny think is that most of the time the car always starts after trying once more... Quote
mk2vr6 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 in your case joost, drivers seat ;) but as yours is a 2002 model dont waste your time looking, its not there, and how many airbags do you have? Quote
dlt1617 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Posted March 24, 2008 Hi Joost, I had the same problem on my 98 2.3 glx - I searched all the posts on here and it came up with two suggestions - the fuel pump relay (replaced but no difference) or relay 30 whichis a main power relay on the second layer of relays in the main fuse box on the driver's side.I didn't think it was that as I work in a BMW garage and as it was the immobilser light flashing they all told me it was a key problem!!Replaced the relay job was a good un! Dave Quote
hondengines Posted March 25, 2008 Report Posted March 25, 2008 Hi all, just a curveball this one, watch out if its an auto, they only start on park mode, there is a wee switch to sense park mode, it can drift out of adjustment, if you turn key and tap the gear lever, car starts, i had to give mine a 1/4 turn to resolve, no reocurrence, justa thought, stev fae glasgow,, Quote
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