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Old 06-05-2007, 07:30 PM   #1
melbzetec
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Default She won't start

Went to start the car late this afternoon...won't start.

Drove back from the city at 3pm...no problems.

But at 5pm,engine won't even turnover, just a click,click,click sound.

I'm quessing starter motor or battery. Stereo, locks etc however all work.

I clutch started it. Ran smoothly.

Any suggestions? Off to the Auto electrician in the morning I think

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Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior.
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Old 06-05-2007, 08:09 PM   #2
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could be your starter motor.... or you batt just JUST didnt have enough...
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Old 06-05-2007, 09:33 PM   #3
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sounds like a starter solonoid... try a few gentle taps with a piece of timber, has worked for cars I've had in the past... if it doesn't work check the battery terminals are clean, may have enough power for windows etc but low on cranking amps, good luck.
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Old 06-05-2007, 10:23 PM   #4
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battery for sure,
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Old 06-05-2007, 11:33 PM   #5
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Your car was telling you it SHOULD have gone on the cruise!!! My guess is Ford Racing has liberated so much horsepower that it just has trouble even starting!!!

Honestly, as mentioned above, battery is suspect number 1, can be easily tested by your local auto mechanic with a battery tester very quickly. Haven't heard of an LR Focus starter motor failing yet...
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Old 06-05-2007, 11:42 PM   #6
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If all the electrics are still working ok, and it ran ok with a clutch start, I would imagine that a starter motor is at fault...

just get it checked, im sure it will only delay any future mods... not eat into the home mortgage... hehe
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Old 06-05-2007, 11:50 PM   #7
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Check to see if the battery terminals are corroded or loose first before you do anything and then;

* Jump Start the car and If it starts, then you've got a battery problem.

If it still doesn't start but still makes repetitive ticking noise, then you've either got a low battery on your jump starter or your starter solenoid has had it.
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Old 07-05-2007, 09:26 AM   #8
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Like extremist said check out the terminals first, clean up with small wire brush and put vasoline on the terminals to prevent corroding. Also check if the battery electrolite levels are above the plates.


If both are good, grab your multimeter and see how it goes when cranking the car. It should drop down to about 8 or 9 volts whilst cranking. If it goes down to 1-3v battery has no charge. If the battery is only new you may have problems with alternator not charging the battery properly.

If battery and charging is both verified to be good, then you check out the starter.
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Old 07-05-2007, 09:38 AM   #9
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Thanks for your help guys.

Yes terminals are fine, but took them both off, cleaned and reconnected.

(ps I also checked out the fuel cutoff valve. No issue)

Multimeter is not something I have...so it's off at the Auto Electrician this morning.... just waiting for the call.
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec.
Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior.
www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918

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Old 07-05-2007, 01:25 PM   #10
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Try jump starting the car before you take it to a pro.
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Old 07-05-2007, 02:23 PM   #11
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No RACV or anything like that ?

They can come in handy just for their tools at times hehe
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Old 07-05-2007, 04:02 PM   #12
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In the past my cars have been covered by rodaside assist, and I have let the RACV membership lapse. They wanted $188 to join me up and come and have a look.I'll join up again this week

Anyway the Auto Elec just rang. A weird one but not serious.

Apparently the earth cable to the engine has broken, and the current ended up going through a more narrow gauge wire and eventually burnt out. All replaced...$88.

How the hell the earth cable got broken (polishing the engine too much perhaps??????!!!!LOL)

I'll find out more when I pick it up
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec.
Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior.
www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918

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Old 07-05-2007, 04:15 PM   #13
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I just thought thats incredible you got a auto electrician on a public holiday, but then realised its only a day off in Qld today!

Interesting fix, but awesome that he was able to fix it soo cheaply..!
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Old 07-05-2007, 04:34 PM   #14
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What's the excuse for a public holiday in Qld? Russ Hinze Memorial Day or something?
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec.
Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior.
www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918

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Old 07-05-2007, 05:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melbzetec
What's the excuse for a public holiday in Qld? Russ Hinze Memorial Day or something?
Think its labour day, believe you guys have the day off in October?

Was thinking it was the Sir Joh's stutter appreciation day...
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Old 07-05-2007, 05:34 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melbzetec
What's the excuse for a public holiday in Qld? Russ Hinze Memorial Day or something?
Labour Day.
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Old 08-05-2007, 10:11 AM   #17
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sorry to hijack the thread steve, but what the hell is with that... shouldnt labour day be held on the same day all around australia... did queensland just decide. a feck it... well do it when we can be bothered...... ????
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Old 08-05-2007, 07:31 PM   #18
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I (a Queenslander) always associated "Labour Day" and "May Day" as being pretty similar, so it always made sense to me to have the public holiday near the start of May. Given that the 2nd half of the year is pretty much devoid of public hols in Qld, I wouldn't mind it being moved later. Actually why not just throw an extra one in sometime - I'm sure they can find an excuse.

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Old 08-05-2007, 08:42 PM   #19
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I associate between Easter & June long weekend with the best time of year to have annual leave. AS there are loads of public holidays.... can get an extra weeks leave for the time ;)

Its over 17 weeks though between the Exhibition show day, and Christmas, so its a looooooooong time between drinks there....
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