Battery or Starter?

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Of late I have real trouble starting my QP, but only in the morning.
I get one click and nothing else until after about 20 attempts it fires up as if nothing was wrong.
Remains fine for the rest of the day though, no warning lights.
Your thoughts battery, starter or something else?
Thanks
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Ta
Have ordered one for £150, hopefully will know for sure when I swap it over.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I had the same issue with my Stag.
Click nothing.
Sometimes would turn over first start, sometimes after 50!
Solved with new starter solenoid, actually I replaced the complete starter with a brand new hi torque unit instead while I was in there.
Incidentally, was fine when the engine was warm, and was not the battery.
Try battery first of course!
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I had the same issue with my Stag.
Click nothing.
Sometimes would turn over first start, sometimes after 50!
Solved with new starter solenoid, actually I replaced the complete starter with a brand new hi torque unit instead while I was in there.
Incidentally, was fine when the engine was warm, and was not the battery.
Try battery first of course!

I agree, if the lights don’t dim then it’s probably not the battery.
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Thanks, the lights don't dim - I will replace the battery anyway but I am leaning towards the starter/solenoid.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
my money is on solenoid/starter, sometimes you can give the solenoid a small tap with a mallet and if it then starts there's your answer
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Check the starter relay too. You could swap it with another one to test, it might not be making contact every time.
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
As ever, really helpful pointers from everyone, thank you. ill update next week on the actual reolution
 
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Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Just to update, the resolution was:

Drove for 100miles recharging the battery!

No problems since then, starts fine every day. Fingers crossed it stays that way
 

sparkplug155

Member
Messages
126
Not on my Maserati but I had a similar issue with my 3 litre Alfa 75.
That was a faulty connection in my battery isolator switch causing a poor battery earth.
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Ok an update after replacing battery - the same dreaded one click but no cranking which went from intermittent to permanent.
So I replaced the plunger and contacts in the starter solenoid and all working fine now. The plunger had deteriorated to the extent it was stuck.

Cost of plunger and contacts £15 - But it took me 4 hours as the starter sits just above the nearside cat, what a real bummer it was to do. I did save on a new starter though!
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
Ok an update after replacing battery - the same dreaded one click but no cranking which went from intermittent to permanent.
So I replaced the plunger and contacts in the starter solenoid and all working fine now. The plunger had deteriorated to the extent it was stuck.

Cost of plunger and contacts £15 - But it took me 4 hours as the starter sits just above the nearside cat, what a real bummer it was to do. I did save on a new starter though!

That’s good news, as you say access is not the best, 4 hours doesn’t sound too bad!
Where’d you find the replacement parts?
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Just done the same job on wife's Freelander 2. A 10 quid kit on eBay with 2 copper contacts and new plunger. Worked a treat but access seems much better than the Maser.

Seems terrible to buy a new starter motor when the old one only needs new contacts.

I wonder how many garages would change the contacts/plunger rather than the whole starter motor?
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
The wear was really pronounced and obvious.

aa6471311ada14b975ab4c7b7ed50416.jpg
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Just done the same job on wife's Freelander 2. A 10 quid kit on eBay with 2 copper contacts and new plunger. Worked a treat but access seems much better than the Maser.

Seems terrible to buy a new starter motor when the old one only needs new contacts.

I wonder how many garages would change the contacts/plunger rather than the whole starter motor?

The hard work is taking the starter out, replacing the plunger and contacts is 5 minutes, not many garages will repair the solenoid - the starter itself is good for many many years.
 

Razz

Junior Member
Messages
123
Buying one of them for the spares box for sure. Razz are you using a QP manual for all this work or have you the 'knowhow'?
My knowhow has been gleaned from this forum, google allmighty and a curious desire to tinker!
Err.. whats a manual? Opposite of automatic perhaps