Strange possible starter motor issue

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Hi all,

I've not been around for a while. I see lots of new people on here so a big HELLO to everyone.
Well, I've still got the GTI but she doesn't get used too much....bit of a garage queen I guess. Only did about 60 miles in her last year! Yep just 80 miles. She has now done 8,300 since new 

I start the car every week to fortnight, press brakes and clutch etc to keep hydraulics happy.
Last month she had her 2nd cam belt change due to age (May 2006 car). Probably coincidence but since this a starting issue has developed: When the car has been stood and not run for say 24 hours, I turn the key to start, hear a single click from under the bonnet but the starter motor doesn't kick in. However it always works fine 2nd or 3rd go. Last night I turned the key again, heard the click but I still kept the key turned against the spring, after a second or two the started belatedly kicked in and all was good. The battery is 1 year old and kept on a CTEC charger. At the service last month the battery was tested and reported fine. This starting problem cannot be repeated when the engine is warm.

Before I take it to my local dealer for them to throw parts at it I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this problem.
I've checked the obvious stuff too.....starter connections, battery connections fuses secure etc. Seems odd a starter motor should fail at 8,300 miles and occasional use. 

[bacillus]

I know you keep the battery on a charger but I'm guessing that the problem is your battery is dying. I think Halfords do a free battery check.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Do you reckon? Things I've tried doing repeated starts in the space of an hour trying to replicate issues and it seems fine. I cannot get it to do it when warm or hot. I know batteries are fickle things though!

[bacillus]

You need the maximum amperage to cold start and this is when the initial signs of a failing battery show up.

[Saintsteve]

Hi all,

I've not been around for a while. I see lots of new people on here so a big HELLO to everyone.
Well, I've still got the GTI but she doesn't get used too much....bit of a garage queen I guess. Only did about 60 miles in her last year! Yep just 80 miles. She has now done 8,300 since new 

I start the car every week to fortnight, press brakes and clutch etc to keep hydraulics happy.
Last month she had her 2nd cam belt change due to age (May 2006 car). Probably coincidence but since this a starting issue has developed: When the car has been stood and not run for say 24 hours, I turn the key to start, hear a single click from under the bonnet but the starter motor doesn't kick in. However it always works fine 2nd or 3rd go. Last night I turned the key again, heard the click but I still kept the key turned against the spring, after a second or two the started belatedly kicked in and all was good. The battery is 1 year old and kept on a CTEC charger. At the service last month the battery was tested and reported fine. This starting problem cannot be repeated when the engine is warm.

Before I take it to my local dealer for them to throw parts at it I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this problem.
I've checked the obvious stuff too.....starter connections, battery connections fuses secure etc. Seems odd a starter motor should fail at 8,300 miles and occasional use. 

Welcome back fella, haven't seen you about since the cork n bottle meet in Basingstoke! Nice to see you still own her.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Hi all,

I've not been around for a while. I see lots of new people on here so a big HELLO to everyone.
Well, I've still got the GTI but she doesn't get used too much....bit of a garage queen I guess. Only did about 60 miles in her last year! Yep just 80 miles. She has now done 8,300 since new 

I start the car every week to fortnight, press brakes and clutch etc to keep hydraulics happy.
Last month she had her 2nd cam belt change due to age (May 2006 car). Probably coincidence but since this a starting issue has developed: When the car has been stood and not run for say 24 hours, I turn the key to start, hear a single click from under the bonnet but the starter motor doesn't kick in. However it always works fine 2nd or 3rd go. Last night I turned the key again, heard the click but I still kept the key turned against the spring, after a second or two the started belatedly kicked in and all was good. The battery is 1 year old and kept on a CTEC charger. At the service last month the battery was tested and reported fine. This starting problem cannot be repeated when the engine is warm.

Before I take it to my local dealer for them to throw parts at it I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this problem.
I've checked the obvious stuff too.....starter connections, battery connections fuses secure etc. Seems odd a starter motor should fail at 8,300 miles and occasional use. 

Welcome back fella, haven't seen you about since the cork n bottle meet in Basingstoke! Nice to see you still own her.

Thanks buddy! I've been involved in restoring an old Land Rover which has taken most of my time . Still love the GTI though...criminal not using it but makes no real financial sense to sell it at this low mileage. I do plan to try harder and use it more. Went out for a nice run in it on Sunday. It still puts a smile on my face!  :)

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Just phoned my local dealer. They will confirm on Monday but are claiming batteries carry only 12 months warranty. Shame mines 3 weeks out of this.
I keep the car a good 75% of the time on a ctek battery charger and conditioner. The battery has lasted under 100 miles!

I'm not overly keen just to replace the battery straight away. I just went to the car this lunch time and it started no hesitations. I then stopped it, switched on headlights and also left interior lights on for 10-15 minutes and it still started fine 10 mins later with all this equipment still switched on! I subsequently tried 3 further starts and all were ok. I'm no expert but I would have expected this load to have impacted on a weak battery.

Anyway, I've connected the battery conditioner up again to replenish the battery until this evening. I'll then disconnect and perhaps leave it until Friday PM to see if I can replicate the issue. Strange, as it always does start and sounds good, it's just the starter doesn't always kick in.

I could take it to Halfrauds for a free check but this was supposedly done at the last service 3 weeks ago when the cam belt was changed.

[Saintsteve]

Just phoned my local dealer. They will confirm on Monday but are claiming batteries carry only 12 months warranty. Shame mines 3 weeks out of this.
I keep the car a good 75% of the time on a ctek battery charger and conditioner. The battery has lasted under 100 miles!

I'm not overly keen just to replace the battery straight away. I just went to the car this lunch time and it started no hesitations. I then stopped it, switched on headlights and also left interior lights on for 10-15 minutes and it still started fine 10 mins later with all this equipment still switched on! I subsequently tried 3 further starts and all were ok. I'm no expert but I would have expected this load to have impacted on a weak battery.

Anyway, I've connected the battery conditioner up again to replenish the battery until this evening. I'll then disconnect and perhaps leave it until Friday PM to see if I can replicate the issue. Strange, as it always does start and sounds good, it's just the starter doesn't always kick in.

I could take it to Halfrauds for a free check but this was supposedly done at the last service 3 weeks ago when the cam belt was changed.

Starter motor solenoid sticky?

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

You could well be right. Would it not make a continuous click though if that was the Solenoid?  I just get one loud click?

[Saintsteve]

You could well be right. Would it not make a continuous click though if that was the Solenoid?  I just get one loud click?

Or possibly dodgy Relay?

Something sounds like it's sticking, something that moves apon activating.. sticking Starter motor Bendix?  All things that could seize from lack of use?

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Perhaps I should use it before throwing money at it. 

It's never not started and I don't rely on it for work so I guess time is on my side. I keep thinking a proper battery load tester would be a useful tool to have on the shelf too so might look at one of those too. All the options you suggest also sound plausible too.

Just seems odd that searching the forum I seem to be alone with this issue. Some faults are best left to develop a bit I guess!

Phil

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Quick update.

I bought a battery drop tester. The battery is fine. Curiously, the problem seems to have gone away. I've done several cold starts since and cannot get it to play up.

Let's see how it goes. Some things need time to develop I guess!

[Andy]

Good to see you back on here-Sounds like you have had a sticky starter motor-Do you call your car christine

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

I let the intermittent starter motor issue try and develop. It didn't really but last month I couldn't get it started - just a single loud click from the solenoid. Battery fine and had a couple of drop tests. Bit the bullet and nipped it in to the dealer for a new starter motor. All good now but £285 worse off. Hoping to try and use it a bit more this year - still only done 8,600 miles 

[Matthewsimone]

What a waste of a fantastic car