Gen3 erratic starting
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 8:14 pm
Hi guys.
My Pajero (2002 3.2 DiD) normally starts like greased lightning; I would guess within one turn of the crankshaft. A few weeks ago I noticed some hesitation, almost as if the battery was not 100% and the starter was turning the engine more slowly than usual. Then, one morning, there was no engine movement at all.
Attempts at jump starting, swapping the battery with one from my brother's BMW, and charging the battery overnight had no effect. All the cables checked fine with a multimeter. So I had to summon a rollback and cart it off to the workshop.
My mechanic has now done the following:
- Checked all the cables
- Replaced the battery terminals (old ones were cracked)
- Replaced the battery (old one was technically within limits but performed marginally during a proper load test)
- Pulled out the starter, replaced the brushes, replaced the solenoid, and had it tested on the bench
We can now start the engine, albeit with difficulty. With the first turn of the key the starter engages, but the engine turns with difficulty, as with a flat battery. Ditto with the second attempt. But with the third attempt the engine leaps into action as if nothing is wrong! This happens regardless of whether the engine is hot or cold.
Anybody with a similar experience?
My Pajero (2002 3.2 DiD) normally starts like greased lightning; I would guess within one turn of the crankshaft. A few weeks ago I noticed some hesitation, almost as if the battery was not 100% and the starter was turning the engine more slowly than usual. Then, one morning, there was no engine movement at all.
Attempts at jump starting, swapping the battery with one from my brother's BMW, and charging the battery overnight had no effect. All the cables checked fine with a multimeter. So I had to summon a rollback and cart it off to the workshop.
My mechanic has now done the following:
- Checked all the cables
- Replaced the battery terminals (old ones were cracked)
- Replaced the battery (old one was technically within limits but performed marginally during a proper load test)
- Pulled out the starter, replaced the brushes, replaced the solenoid, and had it tested on the bench
We can now start the engine, albeit with difficulty. With the first turn of the key the starter engages, but the engine turns with difficulty, as with a flat battery. Ditto with the second attempt. But with the third attempt the engine leaps into action as if nothing is wrong! This happens regardless of whether the engine is hot or cold.
Anybody with a similar experience?
