Strange starting problem

[TUNERAIDER]

hi,

 

i just changed the dis cap, brush, irid spark plugs and leads. and she runs like silk.

 

but when i start the engine on maybe 3 out of 5 times it just clicks once and all power is lost. no lights no radio nothing.

 

then if i slam the drivers door the indicators flash once and the power comes back on. but when i turn the key it just makes the same click and the power goes again.

 

it does this maybe 4 times then starts. once started it can be turned off and on with no problems. seems if i dont start the engine for around 3 hours the click comes back and the same problem as listed above. its doing my head in.

 

going to the garage for some upgrades on the lights all round this month and for once i would like to tell the mad scientist what the problem is before he laughs at me and plugs in a loose connection.

 

1999 facelift n/a

Edited November 12, 2010 by TUNERAIDER
put in the year and model (see edit history)

[stevie_b]

Weird. Partly, it sounds like the starter-motor contacts problem: well documented on here, do a search for more info.

 

What doesn't fit is the loss of radio and lights. That sounds like some dodgy loom wiring somewhere. Try pulling things like the radio /lights fuses and see if it makes a difference.

[TUNERAIDER]

UPDATE.....

 

tested the battery which was fine. but the terminals had worked loose. not falling off just loose and i had to put a screw in between each clamp to make them tight.

 

my battery strut had come loose and the battery moved around while driving. turns out that this made the electrics go mental when i fired her up. something to do with the power not bieng constant.

 

now she starts first time every time. no power loss on ignition i guess the battery didnt charge fully with the loose cables. so worth checking if you have a click on ignition, wont start and power loss.

 

sometimes its a simple fix.

[jimsup]

I was gonna say...check the battery! mine was doing exactly the same when i got back from canada after being out there for a month....loss of power at lights, radio. that clicking noise as it was trying to sart, indicators flashing.........went charged my battery, and now starts absolutely fine!

 

Jim

[Guest mike6187]

yah maybe its the battery but if you want a clear answer on this i would say ask a Auto repair question specialist and youll never doubt on them. i used to ask there everytime i got repairs needed.