Poor starting on 1998 1.8

AJAS · Dec 2nd, 2007, 10:17

Hi all,

We are relatively new owners of a V40 and have gradually been doing all the 'known' faults that I have found from these forums - thermostat, temp sender, headlamp adjusters (easy peasy with the info from the search!) and drop links (yet to do!).

The car has always been sluggish on starting - sounds like a flat battery, but have had it checked and it is ok. It turns over slowly but always starts.

I have checked the voltage when the car is running and it is about 14v (on an analogue instruments, not too accurate!) which suggests the alternator is ok. Have done continuity checks between body/engine and negative on the battery and that looks good. Cleaned up the starter motor connector. All to no avail. I assume that it is likely to be the starter itself.
Is this a typical fault and if so how easy is it to change the motor?
Thanks in advance

manoman48 · Dec 2nd, 2007, 11:23

Check you have the correct rated battery fitted. Mine has come with an under-rated battery and although it starts every time, it is less than enthusiastic when its freezing outside. Its on my 'to do' list.

Baffler · Dec 2nd, 2007, 22:16

I had a Laguna for a few months last winter and I swapped the battery for a higher amp type and it wouldn't idle at all. Put back in the lower amp battery and it returned to normal. I would go with Manoman on this one and check that you have the correct rating for the car. No harm to have a new battery fitted temporarily to see if the starter turns better. A new battery would be half the price of a starter motor.

mharriso · Dec 2nd, 2007, 23:12

In line with the previous comments, once you have the correct rating battery ensure it is fully charged, preferably by an intelligent charger, suggest OPTIMATE SP. VEry good investment, just charge once aweek and winter will pass without worries...

In addition if the vehicle is very high mileage get your cylinder compression checked... low comp ratio is oftn a cause for laboured staring...

Dec 2nd, 2007, 10:17	#1
AJAS New Member Last Online: Nov 4th, 2009 10:56 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Evesham	Poor starting on 1998 1.8 Hi all, We are relatively new owners of a V40 and have gradually been doing all the 'known' faults that I have found from these forums - thermostat, temp sender, headlamp adjusters (easy peasy with the info from the search!) and drop links (yet to do!). The car has always been sluggish on starting - sounds like a flat battery, but have had it checked and it is ok. It turns over slowly but always starts. I have checked the voltage when the car is running and it is about 14v (on an analogue instruments, not too accurate!) which suggests the alternator is ok. Have done continuity checks between body/engine and negative on the battery and that looks good. Cleaned up the starter motor connector. All to no avail. I assume that it is likely to be the starter itself. Is this a typical fault and if so how easy is it to change the motor? Thanks in advance

Dec 2nd, 2007, 22:16	#3
Baffler Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:44 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland	I had a Laguna for a few months last winter and I swapped the battery for a higher amp type and it wouldn't idle at all. Put back in the lower amp battery and it returned to normal. I would go with Manoman on this one and check that you have the correct rating for the car. No harm to have a new battery fitted temporarily to see if the starter turns better. A new battery would be half the price of a starter motor. __________________ Liam... '96 854 TDI SE, '99 V70 2.5D S, '05 C70 2.0T Collection, '05 S80 2.0T SE, '15 V70 D4 SE Lux Nav.

Dec 2nd, 2007, 11:23	#2
manoman48 Master Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2023 11:20 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sc.unthorpe	Check you have the correct rated battery fitted. Mine has come with an under-rated battery and although it starts every time, it is less than enthusiastic when its freezing outside. Its on my 'to do' list.

Dec 2nd, 2007, 23:12	#4
mharriso Master Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2009 01:20 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: gold coast View Photos By: mharriso	In line with the previous comments, once you have the correct rating battery ensure it is fully charged, preferably by an intelligent charger, suggest OPTIMATE SP. VEry good investment, just charge once aweek and winter will pass without worries... In addition if the vehicle is very high mileage get your cylinder compression checked... low comp ratio is oftn a cause for laboured staring...

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