Starter motor and indicators!

[ciaoflyer]

Every morning my starter motor is very slow and slugish but once engine has run it is fine for the rest of the day.  Also when the lights are on indicators barely work!

Anyone got any ideas what it is?

[nrg19uk]

sounds like your batterys dying! get a voltmeter on the battery first thing in the morning to check the voltage

[Rusty's Uncle]

Dodgey or undercharged battery. Check fan belt tension , battery fluid level & if no joy you can get the battery tested for free. That is assuming your alternator is OK.

[Amateb8]

I had a similar problem with my Bis before. I used to put it down to lack of use, so installed a battery isolator. DEspite the isolator, the indicators seem to slow down almost to a halt up until I rev the engine. Took the car for a service and the mechanic suggested that perhaps the battery needed a good charging. If the problem continues after the charge, the battery needs replacing. To cut the story short, after the battery was charged up, the problem dissappeared! That was over a year ago!

[ciaoflyer]

Dodgey or undercharged battery. Check fan belt tension , battery fluid level & if no joy you can get the battery tested for free. That is assuming your alternator is OK.

Assuming alternator is ok because symtoms get better after a run.

[nrg19uk]

 

[grubscrew]

Earth lead connection.

[KAL SPL]

Probably something to do with the quality wiring fitted 22 years ago :p

[bis13]

the indicators are a law to themselves on these cars my alternator battery and wiring is fine however if i am using any other electrical device the indicators slow down and speed up sometimes even changing the flasher units do nothing i just think its how the car is due to the wiring.

[ciaoflyer]

Yes I think you are right about the wiring!  Strange thing is that when the car is first started everything works correctly, when it warms up things start to slow down.

[ciaoflyer]

OK this morning battery was flat   Bump started and ran it around and it charged up, I think the battery is at fault would others agree?

[Amateb8]

Yes it could be. You can get the battery and alternator checked. I do not know how old your battery is but try giving the battery a good proper charge first. The symptoms/problems you have been having were very similar to mine, the power supply was relatively weak but seem to recover after use. The battery keeps on going flat (or very weak) even after just a week of the car being unused. I took the advice from our local garage i.e. giving the battery a good proper charge first before throwing in the towel on the battery. I did as he advised and the problems seem to have gone away.

[Amateb8]

Once you have given the battery a good charge (and the alternator is working), install a battery isolator, so that it retains the last charge. The isolator also helps should there be a fault (ground) in the wiring e.g. that is causing the battery going flat. The isolator aslo doubles up as an immobiliser. It works for me!!!

[ciaoflyer]

Ok, cleaned up earth strap, fully charged battery and at the mo everything is tickerty boo!  Watch this space!