Scottish Elises

For a couple of months now my Elise has just 'clicked' on the first turn of the key, but has always fired up on the 2nd turn of the key.

At first I assumed a starter motor problem of sorts but now I'm not so sure as it does this consistently, every time. I might be wrong but I'd have thought that a starter motor problem would be more random.

Has anyone experienced this before ? Could it be the immobiliser, or something else ?

I'll be taking it overseas in September and would be keen to get this resolved before then as knowing my luck it will stop starting alltogether when I'm there

TIA

If it is entirely repeatable it should be easy to diagnose.

How long do you have to leave it after turning it off before it will just "click" again?

Also, what's the condition of the car when it just "clicks" - I'm assuming the immobiliser has been disarmed and you're turning the key to the start position from the run position?

Is the click a little click (like a relay sort of click) or is it more heavy weight (like the solenoid in the starter motor)?

What car is it (S1, S2, K-series, toyota, VHPD, etc.).

Cheers,
Robin

robin wrote: How long do you have to leave it after turning it off before it will just "click" again?

Wasn't sure about that Robin, so just popped out to the garage to check. First turn, click. Immediately tried a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th turn - fired up OK every time. 60 seconds later tried again and just a click, followed immediately with a 2nd turn resulting in a start.

60 seconds after that, it started OK first turn.

That's on a cold engine though, not sure if the results would be the same when fully warmed. Can check this later if you think it would be useful info.

robin wrote:Also, what's the condition of the car when it just "clicks" - I'm assuming the immobiliser has been disarmed and you're turning the key to the start position from the run position?

Yes, immobiliser disarmed and key fully turned to the start position.

robin wrote: Is the click a little click (like a relay sort of click) or is it more heavy weight (like the solenoid in the starter motor)?

99% sure it's the solenoid, not a relay.

robin wrote: What car is it (S1, S2, K-series, toyota, VHPD, etc.).

S2 K series, 111S.

Neil - sounds like a solenoid fault in that case - if the solenoid is being thrown within the starter, then the starter should turn - there is no further input required from the outside. I have a spare starter (from S2 111S as it happens, but anything other than early S1 would be OK anyway) which you're welcome to borrow for the purposes of elimination.

Niz - I've split your random Clio stuff into another thread ...

Cheers,
Robin

Neil

I had the same problem about a year ago. Here is my thread if any use: http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... =5&t=14916.

Luckily for me the problem just disappeared all by itself after about 2 weeks and has started first time every time since (touches wood) - bizarre

Thanks for the advice Robin, and also for the offer of the starter motor. DJ has kindly PM'd me some of the info you gave him when he had the same problem with his car so I'll take a trawl through this first and see if I can get to the bottom of it.

Is the starter motor and solenoid one complete unit or can they be replaced independantly ?

I'm getting the same problem - I think it's an imobiliser issue as a few presses of the button sorts it


Mac