Carrera starting quirk the other day

Paul Crowther · 08-03-2017, 08:48 AM

My 87 Carrera was warm (75 minutes since being driven), and I turned ignition on to lower windows then sat for a few minutes on phone before attempting to start car. When I turned key, I heard a hum but no starter sound or clicking that usually would go along with a weak battery problem. I was puzzled so checked for things I was doing differently. In neutral, clutch in, clutch out, back to beginning, same. I think the brake pad warning light was on, which I'd never seen before or known it's meaning till I looked in manual; then back to beginning steps again and it started. Somehow, between when I noticed the brake pad warning light and the car starting successfully, I saw that warning light had gone out.

DME relay was replaced a couple years ago, FYI, but even when that was bad, it cranked w/o starting. In this case there was no cranking, just the hum. All other electrics worked while this was going on. Battery terminals are clean and has been cranking fine and still is after this one incident.

Any ideas? So glad I didn't have to call the flatbed.

gomezoneill · gomezoneill's Garage

Check the ground strap under the car near the transmission make sure the connections are not corroded. The starter may be on it's way out also. Did you hear any clicking while trying to crank it?

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Check Battery Voltage 1st, you need 12.5 minimum, every 10th lower is 10% off, if it is at 12 or lower you have a dead battery remove and have it tested at a FLAPS

Paul Crowther · 08-03-2017, 09:44 AM

No clicking, just the soft hum from somewhere. For voltage check is that with ignition off? Can battery remain connected?

darrin · 08-03-2017, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Crowther

No clicking, just the soft hum from somewhere. For voltage check is that with ignition off? Can battery remain connected?

most accurate test would be with car off and checking voltage at battery. However, even with ignition on, draw will be minimal (unless you have lights/powerful stereo on) -- also suggest you pick up a voltmeter that fits in the cigarette lighter socket so you can keep an eye out for voltage spikes too.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

^^^+1 and run the car at 2500-3000 RPMS to see if alternator is doing it's job. Well, if you can get it to start.

Humming is the fuel pump via the DME relay working or the ICV

, Don't worry about it, Normal.

If ever stuck on the road, just push start, she will start :-) and run if alternator is good.

jlex · jlex's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezoneill

Check the ground strap under the car near the transmission make sure the connections are not corroded. The starter may be on it's way out also. Did you hear any clicking while trying to crank it?

This is probably the case.... On my '88 about 1 time in 10 it wouldn't do anything when I turned the key. The battery was new & I was thinking the starter or the ignition switch was going bad. Decided to work the simple solutions first & ended up replacing the ground strap between the transaxle & body first. Since then it has never refused to start on the first try. Buy a new $8 strap & see if that doesn't cure your problem before throwing money at other parts. Of course, clean up your battery connections as well as the ground wire next to the battery.

Nick Triesch · Nick Triesch's Garage

Jack up car , put in jack stand. Take a ball peen hammer and smack the starter several times. Worked for me. Happened on a hot day in the mountains. Starter was stuck. Push start got me home. While under the car I also cleaned up the wires and connections to the starter. Has been good for 5 years since.