99 model wont start

[nottie]

Ok guys my wifes car goes thru stages of not starting. It only happens every now and then but its getting bloody anoying. Only way i have found to get around it is to disconnect the posative terminal for about 30 seconds then reconnect and it starts. Also does not matter if its cold or warm it still does it. Seems to be on average of every 5/8 days it will do it so not really a reguler thing. Obviously it is a wiring electrical thing but beats me where to start looking.
Any ideas
Cheers Jamie

[-Scott-]

OK - it won't start. When it won't start tell us what it will do?

For starters, will the engine turn over?

If it does turn, does it catch and die, or just not fire?

If it doesn't turn, does anything happen? Can you hear a solenoid clicking?

[NJV6]

I have a similar thing but I know what it is - the positive battery terminal is not good enough onto the battery. Sometimes its starts, sometimes it doesn't (maybe 1 in 40 it wouldn't) I just pop the bonnet , give it a tap and carry on.
Terminal is tight but obviously the connection is not alwasy true.

NJ

[nottie]

Ok when i say it wont start it turns over and over but wont fire. Then if i jiggle the posative terminal nothing happens it will continue to turn and not fire but if i disconnect it for 30+ seconds it will then fire.

[burtbunch]

I'm not an expert but there appears to be nothing wrong with your starter motor and something wrong with the ignition. Maybe you need to look into the leads or something like that. You can test them with a multimeter. It sounds as if there is no spark if the engine is trurning but no ignition. probably an elct problem. A gregory's/haines manual for around $40 is a good investment if you are handy with the tools.

Good Luck

Carey

[nottie]

has had the leads done about 20000 ks ago (they are the 100000 type as with the plugs) That is a job i never want to do again as the whole inlet manifold allmost needs to be pulled off to get to the plugs. And they seem to test fine. I am thinking maybe a computer issue cause when i disconnect the + terminal it must reset the computer? Only problem is as usual when you take this problem to an auto sparky or the like they never do it and you stand there like a dick who cant start his own car properly.

[Oscars]

yeh get it scaned, could be a immob problem. is it a magnetic key head?

[nottie]

ahh what is getting it scanned? Oh and the key doesnt seem to bea magnetic at all but dont really know

[Oscars]

take it to a auto elec or decent mechanic who has a scanner. should cost around 60 - 100 bucks.
they will plug it in to there scanner/computer and it can comunicate with car and tell u errors like immob transponder error etc.
my 99 triton had a mag key head

[nottie]

cheers oscars will do as it being the wifes car i dont really want it to let her down. (or ill cop it for weeks)