Clarko Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Hmmm, so I thought today was gonna be the day that I got my Birkin fired up for the first time.... No. The problem.. the engine will not turn over...( with the plugs in).... it turns over easily with the plugs removed...but the starter just seems to jam when the plugs are in?? I have tried different batteries including one brand new one.. I can turn over the engine with the plugs in by using a wrench on the crank bolt.... so why won’t the starter spin the engine with the plugs installed.... has me beat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papak Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Tom Carlin says the it is usually related to grounding issue. Check battery to block ground, ECU ground, starter ground, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 I will re check those. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 Well.... I cleaned and checked all engine and battery related grounds ... it’s not that.... I did speak to Tom who said it’s possible that the “new” 17 year old starter might be sucking too much juice... So for want of any other idea I may do that and get it checked at a shop... I just looked and thought it would be easy to pull... but it looks like one of the bolts might be tough to get at as the footwell gets in the way... any thoughts on that from someone who might have a Zetec installed in a Birkin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 Yikes! So I fitted a brand new starter motor as the place I took my Old one said yes indeed it was not operating at optimum... so he sold me a new one.... Guess what... same problem... turns over fine with no spark plugs in but the moment I add some resistance to the engine in the form of spark plugs it seems to over whelm the power of the starter motor.... What am I missing... the engine is obviously not seized or it wouldn’t turn over at all.. I believe there are super duper powerful starter motors out of the UK.... should I be looking for one of those? Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks Clark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 What about a push-start, just to see what happens? If it really is a weak starter, the momentum of the car should do it. I used a rope for a tow back when I was having starter issues with my X-Flow Caterham: once moving (5-10 mph), pop the clutch in 2nd, engine springs to life, hopefully. Or park on a hill? We have all been there. Maybe you have weak battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 Thankful for the response Kitcat....hmmm I would do that but I’m still going for the first start... so don’t Really know whether the base Map etc is any good, and that’s without getting into issues of Living on a busy road...the car not being registered or insured etc.. so must find other alternatives to that for right now? what else do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 Couldn’t be anything to do with timing? With a new battery and starter motor, if you pull the fuel pump relay, your cars would still turn over like crazy right up until the time you ran your battery completely flat or melted your starter motor etc?..... So what gives... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 Time to get the VOM out and check the resistance on both the hot lead and grounding cables to the starter. You do have a grounding cable connected right to the engine? Dave W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 Hi Dave, showing approx 0.2 v. On both sides when cranking... with no spark plugs in which I think is normal and shows that the cables are not the issue?....Does that sound legit? I bet it will turn out to be something simple but ... what? Is it at all possible that it’s stuck exhaust valves .... so that when I stick the spark plugs in... the starter motor cannotbover On my way! The compression? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Sorry But I'm having a problem with the .2 volts? Valves typically stick open not closed. When cranking the engine over can you feel if either cable is getting hot. Is there a solid engagement sound from the starter solenoid. Dave W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashyers Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Clarko, Check the voltage on the battery with no load. Should be 12.65v or above. Check the battery voltage while attempting to turn the engine over, should be 9.5v or above. Check the voltage drop though the power and ground to the starter. The drop should be <.5v. if your cranking voltage is dropping low battery may not be up to the task. drops are too great wiring> You could try cranking it with one plug in, similar to doing a compression test, then add another and see where the tipping point of the system is. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarko Posted October 22, 2020 Author Share Posted October 22, 2020 Thanks for suggestions Dave and Andy:) I have... put the starter challenge on hold for right now, as I simply use jumper cables from a running car which provides lots of juice to the Birkin and allows me to turn the starter no probs....The reason I am ignoring THIS challenge currently....is that I have disappeared down another rabbit hole with. No start issue related to the crank position sensor.. Ill start another thread and expand on the Challenge . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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