Just lately I've been having trouble, occasionally, when trying to start my SRI 150.(Z22SE engine) The first time it happened, I tried to start the car & it was as if it was completely dead , the dash lights were all on but it didn't crank over or make any noise. The next time I had a problem the starter, whilst turning over, was making a clicking/clunking noise, but the car started ok....this has happened a few times, but normally in the morning after having driven it the night previously & the car always starts.
I figured it was either a dodgy battery, loose connection somewhere with the wiring or the solenoid was occasionally sticking. I swapped over the battery from my Merc but it didn't cure the problem, so I can rule that out. Today I had the wife start the car, whilst I was going to tap the solenoid to see if it made a difference & I noticed the wire connected to the solenoid was sparking as the car was being turned over.....Result!! or so I thought. I undid the two nuts, cleaned the teminals & put it all back together again. This still didn't fix it, there were no sparks, but sometimes the starter would still click/clunk whilst turning over.
Now, this is what I don't get....on one of the attempted start ups, the starter didn't turn at all. I gave the solenoid a gentle tap & the starter worked, albeit making a clunking clicking noise. The the wife said that all of the dash lights had gone out & come back on again, even though the ignition was on. Not only that but the digital mileometer has reset back to zero & all of the data stored like trip distance, mileage average, average speed etc has all gone back to zero as well, plus the digital clock reset back to 1997. ( the car's a 2000 model)
What the fook happened???? It was as if the battery had been disconnected, but it hadn't!!
Why would everything reset itself?? Do you think the other problem is solenoid related??
Something else I noticed....if you put the key in the iginition & turn it straight to start, the car starts but not cleanly. If however I put the key in the iginition, turn on the ignition, wait until the dash light with the spanner on goes out (after the various solenoids etc finsh making their noises under the bonnet) the car starts up cleanly. Why is that??
Sorry for such a long winded load of questions, but this is really getting to me now & is spoiling my enjoyment of the car. Any thoughts or answers to the questions would be greatfully received
Thanks guys...Nige