Engine no crank a few days ago,… But then cranked and ran after about 50 turns of the key now seems OK

[bcolins]

Second time for this to happen. Last time was about three months ago ago, and I have probably driven the car a few dozen times since then with no further problem. Symptoms are after driving and then parking the car and then returning shortly after a quick stop to pick up something at a local store in return of the key only yields a click from under the hood. The starter does not spin the motor. I give it a few more turns of the key and the same identical symptom every time just to click from under the hood so I checked both battery terminals to make sure they are clean and tight and they are,… The battery is only about six months old and has never given indication of not holding a charge. So I assume the problem is elsewhere potentially a failing starter or maybe a bad ground somewhere under the hood? Both the first time and when this happened again, a few days ago, turning the key back to off and then to start again about 50 Ish times eventually got the starter to spend properly and now all seems good with the car, but I am afraid to drive it in this condition For fear I might get stranded somewhere.

 

[t-tony]

Sounds like a starter motor intermittent issue. Next time it happens try tapping the starter solenoid with a small hammer while someone turns the key.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

It's never happened to my BMW but I used to have an old merc and I think the teeth on the starter or the flywheel starter ring were a bit chewed up and sometimes the starter solenoid would click as it tried to engage the starter with the flywheel ring but couldn't. Just clicked.

The solution was to put the car in gear - high one is easier - and rock the car. That turned the engine over just a fraction to move the duff teeth away from each other. Always fixed it.

 

[bcolins]

Second time for this to happen. Last time was about three months ago ago, and I have probably driven the car a few dozen times since then with no further problem. Symptoms are after driving and then parking the car and then returning shortly after a quick stop to pick up something at a local store… the turn of the key only yields a click from under the hood. The starter does not spin the engine. I give it a few more turns of the key and the same identical symptom every time just a click from under the hood so I checked both battery terminals to make sure they are clean and tight and they are,… The battery is only about six months old and has never given indication of not holding a charge. So I assume the problem is elsewhere potentially a failing starter or maybe a bad ground somewhere under the hood? Both the first time and when this happened again, a few days ago, turning the key back to off and then to start again about 50 Ish times eventually got the starter to spin properly and the engine fired right up. Now all seems good with the car, but I am afraid to drive it in this condition For fear I might get stranded somewhere. Thoughts

Sounds like a starter motor intermittent issue. Next time it happens try tapping the starter solenoid with a small hammer while someone turns the key.

Tony.

isn’t the starter buried under the intake manifold?

 

[t-tony]

Not that bad. You can change it without removing anything else. Have a good look.

Tony.