chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

ive just asked this question on the 205gtidrivers.com forum, but as activity is slower on there, im asking here too if thats ok.

copy/pasted from 205 thread i started...

"erm as above. i jumped in the car (88 1.9gti) this morning at about 6.30 to take my fiancee to work. turned the key and nothing... not turning over or coughing etc, just a whining noise for 3 or 4 seconds. so i turned the car off and attempted again... nothing, just the same whining noise. "weird" i thought. tried for a third time, and again nothing, just whining, then 3-4 seconds later it suddenly sparked into life. no hesitancy, just suddenly decided to work. car drove absolutley fine.

im looking through my haynes service/repair manual trying to figure out wtf is wrong. im worried this may happen again, and would rather sort the issue out."

cheers

andy

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

starter solenoid issue is my guess. sign of problems to come maybe? A jump start to turn the starter over may be a way to get her gong if the problem happens again.

All this is pure guess work from me

Eddie1980

If the whining noise was loud it could be the starter running but not engaging with the flywheel.

Clunk with a stick normally works. But long term you might want to overall or replace the gear on the end of the starter and the track it runs on.

Not a big issue.

IF it was not loud and stopped even with the key still turned to position 3 it could be the fuel pump your hearing... in which case it sounds like the solenoid as above. Again treat with a big stick :-)

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

excellent gentlemen, where abouts is the solenoid located? any ideas. ive had a quick look under the bonnet for signs of loose connectors etc, but engines are not my thing unfortunatley. now if someone asked me to draw one...

jonny_693

iTrader: (5)

Its part of the starter motor and a common fault on elderly 205's. As above a carefully placed tap with something can somtimes spur them back into life, Unless your battery is low on charge? The whiring noise was probably your fuel pump I used to hear mine on my 1.6 sometimes.

projectsubaru

Definately the starter motor it happens on my 205 from time to time usually just before im going out on track so a bump start cures that . Also makes a whine like you mention when the battery isnt fully charged.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

erm, where is the starter motor. over the 205 forum they have suggested a clean, but ive heard its a bugger without removing the inlet manifold.

battery may be low on charge, but dont think so. i remmber when i had the car recently set up (was running lean) the battery warning light was constantly on. this was due to a bad connector on the alternator belt, which does admittedly still need doing. not loose or anything.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

That is maybe why he was running late in the first case

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

On a Monday?! He's done well if that's the case

jonny_693

iTrader: (5)

Basically its under the inlet manifold and is a cylinder about 6 inches long with another small cylinder attached to the side which is the solenoid.

bob r

iTrader: (46)

Agree, started solenoid.
My 205 GTI went through a couple of starter motors and I changed them without removing the inlet manifold.
I used to carry a 2ft metal pole that I used to tap the starter motor to spark it into life prior to changing the s/motor.

classic Subaru Si

Mate, I did warn you about the starter motor on these things - I was going through about 3 per year!! If it goes again before you get it fixed, put in in gear and rock it backwards and forwards a few times, usually sorted it out for me!!

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

We could have closed this thread after the 2nd post

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

probably the same with the "transfers thread" too, but hey...

pete higham

i had a similar problem on my old 306 ^^^ that did the trick tho

scoobynutta555

Just wait 'til it gets cold and wet starting an old 205, my old one was a nightmare.