Forum:
Hi guys
My grandmother has just donated her 1996 Mira auto (659cc in case there are other versions?) to me so my mrs can learn to drive in it.
The car has been sat nearly a couple of years without being run and the battery was totally flat when I checked the car.
I've recharged it so that it appears to be in good health again now (optimate charger) but turning the key to try and start the engine does nothing much.
I think there's a click as if the starter solenoid is working, but no action whatsoever from the starter motor itself.
To me this means one of two things.
Either the starter is stuck from sitting so long unused, or, the battery is beyond proper use despite holding 12.9v charge and lighting up the dash etc, so it's enough power to make lights etc come on but not to work the starter.
Will try jump starting it later tonight, but if it's the starter I'm guessing it'll need a good wallop.
So my question is - where the hell is the starter motor on this lump? I've had a look around but it's confined space and in a fairly dark, cramped garage where it's hard to get a good look.
If someone could advise exactly where the starter is on this engine and how easy it is to remove etc I'd be most grateful as my gran now wants the car out of her way to use the garage for storing things.
Many thanks!
Jim
Ummm..... From the sounds of
Ummm..... From the sounds of it I would look at the battery first. My Mum's Ford KA used to do this a lot where the Starter motor would just click, and the way this was sorted was with a brand new Battery. Don't forget the Battery has to have a good amount of Cranking AMPs in the battery to get the Starter to kick in.
The car has been standing for how long? Greater than 5 Years? Then you do know a Car Battery has a lefespan of around 4-5 Years and can last longer than the span the manufacturer recommends.
Also you will need to make sure that battery you replace it with is the same type. Normally on the Daihatsu's they will use a Jap Terminal battery (I.E smaller terminals than the euro ones), but check this first. Can Recommend Varta, Bosch & Exide. With all three of these you can get a bigger APH, as I suspect the standard battery is rated around 30/35 APH, where the manufacturers I have quoted can provide 40APH batteries of the same size.
Good Luck
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'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Thanks jpor - a fellow subaru
Thanks jpor - a fellow subaru owner I see.
Got the car pushed out last night with ease and the jump leads on. Eventually there was enough power to crank it over and despite a couple of years sitting and a full tank of old petrol it fired up very easily. Definitely the battery and will try to get one tomorrow for it. Can't recall what AH/CCA the one on it is, but will make sure I get at least the same. Yes it does have small terminals. I guess less lead is a good thing to have on cars like this!
Brakes are brutal but I suppose there's hardly any car to stop.
Now I know this thing won't be a rocket ship (I'm unsure what power it is rated as I don't know what version of the 659 engine it is), but even then, it seems suspiciously gutless. The auto box probably won't help.
Are there any very easy/cheap tweaks to squeeze a little more from this engine? I know it will never be remotely quick but the acceleration is slow that I'd almost consider it dangerous for pulling away from junctions etc. The air filter looks a little grimy but apart from that I can't see anything that would make it be down on power, and have to assume it's just like this. Struggled to get up to 40mph though, which can't be right, surely?!
All seems to run correctly, but just is very weak. The fuel is a couple of years old but while I know that doesn't do engines any favours, in particular when it comes to starting, I'd be quite surprised if it made a noticeable difference to power output as such.
Slight blowing from the exhaust somewhere too that I need to sort out.
She works though, so that's a plus since I already taxed and insured it.
Oh Yes been a Subaru Owner
Oh Yes been a Subaru Owner for 12 Years. Started off with a classic face lift Turbo 2000 saloon in Dark Blue Mica, Leather Interior and an electric sunroof with Air-con. Then Traded that in for a Black Newage STi Blobeye, with plenty of Prodrive and Subaru Mods on now.
The car doesn't sound like it's running right, but it maybe the 3 cylinder Engine version of the Car. How long has it been since being serviced? Could be one of the O2/Lambda Sensors for the exhaust. Also check the Spark Plugs, and I take it the ECU Light on the Dash is lighting up? It does come on when you prime up the fuel pump and goes out? Other things to check are Oil and the possibility the Fuel RON has reached such a low level
Possibly worth putting in some Shell V-Power or some Octane booster in the tank to see if that helps, or the Fuel Filter maybe blocked up with sludge in the fuel tank?
Maybe a mini service should be carried out first to rule out the problem
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'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Thanks for the
Thanks for the suggestions.
Just been out for a bit of a drive now I have a new battery on and air properly in the tyres etc.
Seems to be a bit better now some of the spider's webs have burned off. Managed to get 55mph from it before I decided that was quick enough.
Good idea potentially about the octane boost since while it's hardly going to make it noticeably quicker it might prevent running issues. Petrol burns way slower once it's going stale so it won't help. Not sure which garages have it here but will see....
Your blobeye sounds nice btw mate.
I have a 1989 Legacy RS (like McRae used to rally), which I've had for 12-13 years, and modified quite a lot. Rebuilt the engine a while ago with a V4 Sti heads/Pistons, Cometic gaskets, Hybrid version of VF22 turbo, front mount cooler etc, and a Simtek ECU. Spends more time off the road than on though as I have too many projects to be dealing with alas.