When Turning the key power comes on but engine does not automatically kick over

[VR4Rocket]

I have noticed a few times when i have started up the car I can turn the key have all the power come on but have the engine not kick over.....I then turn back off and turn the key again and it will start.....I noticed that this time the radio was cleared of all stations etc like the battery had been disconected....

Help anyone?
Is it altenator?

 

[naughtika]

damn dude.. that can't be good.. have you checked your battery wiring?

if it was your battery you shouldn't be able to crank it if its dying..

 

[SiliconAngel]

You could have a short, it could be your alternator, it could be your battery or it could just be a loose connection. Have you checked your battery connections? If one of them is loose or if there's corrosion that could cause a problem.

I had a problem with a starter motor years ago that would do something similar - you'd turn the key and get nothing. Turn it on and off a few times and eventually it would crank and start fine. Sometimes knocking the case with a hammer would fix it, as the brushes were just worn. Eventually replaced it and never had a problem again.

I suspect your problem isn't the starter motor, however - even if it was, you shouldn't be losing power to your stereo etc.

First thing I'd check is terminals, then swap the battery, and go from there.

 

[Kristian]

I'd bet on terminals too. Give them a dose of hot water to get rid of the gunk if there's any build up.

 

[Guest]

what they said, terminals..

 

[VR4Rocket]

Cheers guys!! i will do that tonight!

 

[LEG_IT]

Does the car have an immobiliser fitted, as if it is one of those immobilers built into the key ring and you dont have to push any buttons to turn on or off, they sometimes take a while to register that they are in the car, happens quite often. Could be another source in case it isnt what is already said. Good luck

 

[Subaru ETA]

yeah but he has said it lost its radio stations etc. this would lead me to beleave that the others are right, loose terminal

 

[brackenridgevr4]

I know this is a really old post
but I haven't driven the car for ages and this is happening to mine
but its also doing it wen driving along radio fine then turns off and no stations
car dosent stall or turn off
noticed that voltage drops to 12 wen idling but goes up to 14 wen driving
tap the brakes voltage drops blinker on can see my lights dimming
And at night can see a slight battery light on for around 3 minutes verrrrry dim light

 

[hozza]

sounds like an earthing problem.
check your battery terminals, and where the earth joins to the chassis.

 

[naughtika]

if battery terminals are fine.. could be your battery or audio amp (if you have 1 or 2)

 

[sideburns]

If your dash lights go out when you go to crank it and the car loses power then it will be terminals or an earth problem if not probably starter signal or it will be the starter is the ignition barrel sloppy?

 

[hozza]

If your dash lights go out when you go to crank it and the car loses power then it will be terminals or an earth problem if not probably starter signal or it will be the starter is the ignition barrel sloppy?

clearly read the wrong post,
Also for the radio sounds like its a fault with the wiring behind it.

 

[sideburns]

If your battery light is coming on dim is a fault with the regulator in the alternator

Abs hozza I was answering a question from the beginning of the thread didn't realize is an old thread