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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear all hello again,

I came across a bit of an annoying situation with my Alfa´s ignition. I drove up towards Nicosia city centre and I parked the car for 5mins to get some stuff from a computer store. Getting back to the car and turning the key nothing happened. The check lights came up, the clicking sound of the ignition module was heard, but nothing moved in the ignition. I know that sometimes it can get stuck so by setting a 4th gear pushing the car back and forth a couple of times it may get the ignition unstuck. Nothing again!!!

10 mins later I turned the key and voila it started!!!

What did it go wrong guys? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance all of you...
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[Bellamachinna]

Your problem is the starter motor...

Not the starter itself, but the starter selenoid. (the little cylinder atached to the starter)
Next time, it refuses to start, take a piece of hood, and smack it a few times (dont use excessive force).

Normally, this selenoid actuates a lever that engages the starter. When it starts to fail, it seizes in place, and doesnt engage the starter. So, usually a few knoks can free him.
Usually, when they start to fail, it gets worse if the engine is hot...

Hope this helps
P.Camilo
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All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[john 33_16v]

Hi,

It' sounds like the problem of not enough juice gertting to the starter solenoid switch.

See Scott' site http://www.sanderfamily.com/ and the Relay Mod article.

Basically wire the original starter 'switch' wire to a relay and a decent wire from the battery with an inline fuse direct to the solenoid switch point via the relay.

Since doing this mod about 5 years ago, i've never had any starting probs, used to be about once a fortnight before!

Hope it helps.

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

[Scott Sander]

Agree with john, sounds like the relay mod could fix the problem. It is cheap to do and worth trying to do it before replacing the starter motor, etc.
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Scott Sander
'91 Alfa 33 Boxer 16V Monza - Awesome
http://www.sanderfamily.com

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

It happened again,

After a long drive and a good 45mins in heavy traffic, I had to stop and dash to travel's agent to pick up some tickets ... so 3mins later I am in the car, turned the key and... nothing!!!

After several efforts:

1). the car started given a good 10mis to cool down a bit (maybe something warms up and does not makes contact on the starter motor) or ...

2). because I touched something under the ignition module (I felt something like a connector coming from or close, the ignition switch ... and right after the engine started)...

What could it be then? A loose connector or a bad starter motor? Refurbishing the starter would it get any better or do I need a new or newer one???

Thanks again
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[RFlower]

I have had this same problem about 4 times. With the engine very hot and after some time in traffic, the car won't restart after a short period stopped. The last time was when I parked, got out, then wanted to restart to move the car a bit further forward.

There was no response at all to the starter switch; no click from the starter solenoid, nor sound from anything else I could hear.

Every time the car restarted after 5 to 10 minutes.

Could there be something which breaks the starter circuit if the engine is very hot? I don't have a wiring diagram to investigate this possibility.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

[Bellamachinna]

The starter selenoid, engages a "spindle" that connects the starter with the flywheel..
The starter selenoid acts like a "clutch" (or switch). The problem, with them is, that with time and use, the arm gets scored and doesnt slide correcttly.

With the engine hot, all the metal parts "expand", and this can lead to the "spindle" beeing looked in place...

All the best
P.Camilo
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All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Thanks all for your replies,

So according to your information Bellamachina the only solution is to replace the starter motor with a newer one if the problem perists. So I pressume that the idea that other Alfistas mentioned about connecting an extra cable from the battery via a relay wont change things right???

Thanks again for your help...
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

For a start you may try rebuilting the starter motor. I had my starter motor rebuilt when it started making funky noises during cranking... I replaced the brush assembly and thorougly cleaned the solenoid. Since then no problem whatsoever.

Regards,
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Scott Sander]