HELP!

digi · 12-07-2013, 05:34 PM

Hi all,

recently the CSL has been starting on and off as I don't use it much. I searched the forum and had the battery checked and had it replaced. Before replacing it, the shop checked to see if it was charging and they said it was.

Well, today I went for a drive about 20mins and then parked it to get a drink, came back about 20mins later and the car had the same symptoms as before I changed the battery. (Battery is disconnected when I don't use the car)

1. When I turn over the car, I just get a click sound (only 1 click, no multiple)
2. I read on the forum that some members had similar issue and they decided to rock the car to try and move some part in the starter motor so it would engage, so I decided to give it a shot. After rocking the rear trunk, I turned the car over and it started but the start seemed kind of weak in sound, not the usual strong grunt.

Do you guys think its the starter motor that's buggered or you think its something else? I don't get any flickering lights, just when it won't start the engine indicator is on.

Thx for any help!

mattCSLnut · 12-07-2013, 09:09 PM

From your description digi it sounds like your starter motor is getting stuck.
Hopefully Sailor Baz will be along soon to share his recent starter motor woes

Steve B · 13-07-2013, 06:15 AM

Have you tried jump starting from another car.??

digi · 13-07-2013, 08:07 AM

It also happened before I change the battery. Went for a drive, parked it in a shopping center and after parking I tried to start the car again as I was a bit concerned it did not start the first time at my parking lot. I just thought it was due to it sitting there for 10 days. I asked the shopping center to bring a battery to me so I could jump start it. No ava. As I had a spare smg relay in the glovebox, I figured what the hell, so replaced it. Went to start her up and Walla.

So I'm a bit confused and just want to make sure it's the starter before I go changing it.

P.S. I just went to the car with a meter to check the voltage. Before starting its 13V and when I start it up close to 15v. I switch on the aircon and when it hunts it moves too and from 13.5V to 15V so I guess my alternator is fine. Weird that I can start her up after sitting for 12 hrs. I switched her off and tried to start again, no problems. Sighhhhhhh... You guys think its the "starter motor commutator bad spot" issue?

**cantfind1** · 15-07-2013, 02:04 AM

I would also check the engine to chassis earth strap its under the car on the offside attached to the chassis leg from memory....I have seen these come loose, break corrode and snap.....will cause poor starting voltage...

digi · 15-07-2013, 11:47 AM

thx cantfind1, I will try to have a look at this strap to see if its corroded. Honestly I hope its the strap as that is inexpensive to replace.

12-07-2013, 05:34 PM	#1
digi S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 486 Casino cash: $4428	HELP! Hi all, recently the CSL has been starting on and off as I don't use it much. I searched the forum and had the battery checked and had it replaced. Before replacing it, the shop checked to see if it was charging and they said it was. Well, today I went for a drive about 20mins and then parked it to get a drink, came back about 20mins later and the car had the same symptoms as before I changed the battery. (Battery is disconnected when I don't use the car) 1. When I turn over the car, I just get a click sound (only 1 click, no multiple) 2. I read on the forum that some members had similar issue and they decided to rock the car to try and move some part in the starter motor so it would engage, so I decided to give it a shot. After rocking the rear trunk, I turned the car over and it started but the start seemed kind of weak in sound, not the usual strong grunt. Do you guys think its the starter motor that's buggered or you think its something else? I don't get any flickering lights, just when it won't start the engine indicator is on. Thx for any help! __________________ E46 M3 CSL + R35 GTR (bolt on mods 600bhp) + 458 Italia + LP560-4 + Audi S5

12-07-2013, 09:09 PM	#2
mattCSLnut CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,460 Casino cash: $27763	From your description digi it sounds like your starter motor is getting stuck. Hopefully Sailor Baz will be along soon to share his recent starter motor woes __________________ UK CSL No.020 ... after 7 years of ownership I've now SOLD it !!!

13-07-2013, 06:15 AM	#3
Steve B S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Stevenage, Herts Posts: 760 Casino cash: $41	Have you tried jump starting from another car.?? __________________ When it's gone you miss it..... Now in a M4CS

13-07-2013, 08:07 AM	#4
digi S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 486 Casino cash: $4428	It also happened before I change the battery. Went for a drive, parked it in a shopping center and after parking I tried to start the car again as I was a bit concerned it did not start the first time at my parking lot. I just thought it was due to it sitting there for 10 days. I asked the shopping center to bring a battery to me so I could jump start it. No ava. As I had a spare smg relay in the glovebox, I figured what the hell, so replaced it. Went to start her up and Walla. So I'm a bit confused and just want to make sure it's the starter before I go changing it. P.S. I just went to the car with a meter to check the voltage. Before starting its 13V and when I start it up close to 15v. I switch on the aircon and when it hunts it moves too and from 13.5V to 15V so I guess my alternator is fine. Weird that I can start her up after sitting for 12 hrs. I switched her off and tried to start again, no problems. Sighhhhhhh... You guys think its the "starter motor commutator bad spot" issue? __________________ E46 M3 CSL + R35 GTR (bolt on mods 600bhp) + 458 Italia + LP560-4 + Audi S5 Last edited by digi; 13-07-2013 at 09:34 AM.

15-07-2013, 11:47 AM	#6
digi S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 486 Casino cash: $4428	thx cantfind1, I will try to have a look at this strap to see if its corroded. Honestly I hope its the strap as that is inexpensive to replace. __________________ E46 M3 CSL + R35 GTR (bolt on mods 600bhp) + 458 Italia + LP560-4 + Audi S5

15-07-2013, 02:04 AM	#5
cantfind1 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 675 Casino cash: $6490	I would also check the engine to chassis earth strap its under the car on the offside attached to the chassis leg from memory....I have seen these come loose, break corrode and snap.....will cause poor starting voltage...