Strange Starting Problem on ZS

[StevePem]

Just went out to start my ZS at lunch time. Turned the key and nothing, not even a hint of starter turning. tried radio, lights etc and everything worked.

I turned the key several times, on a couple of occassions there was a faint sound of an electric motor (like the washer pump) but most times there was no sound.

After several turns of the key, I got a very brief "chug" as though it was trying to start. Left it a couple more seconds and next turn it started up.

I have heard that if you run out of petrol, you need a minimum amount before it will start again.

Now, I had let the petrol get a bit lower than I usually do (but still took less than 45 litres to fill) and I was on an incline so the guage showed lower than it should.

Not sure how the sensor works but could it be as simple as when I first turned on, it thought there was no petrol and when the sensor eventually registered there was enough fuel, it turned over?

Started fine after I filled up and again a bit later when I had been shopping.

Any ideas or pearls of wisdom gratefully received

Cheers
Steve

[Nick]

Well, my dad had a wierd starting problem on his 400 and it was due to a sticky ignition barrel (it wasnt turning all the way through to the start position), a bit of graphite powder and all was OK again. The other suspect is starter motor connections corroding, or maybe as you said fuel pump / low fuel. Glad its all sorted.

[StevePem]

I guess it is only "sorted" if the car continues to start Oh well, that is why I pay my AA subscription

I will give all the connections a good going over at the weekend - maybe a bit of damp in a slightly dodgy connection.

Fuel pump/low fuel sounds a bit far fetched but there is obviously some sensor/cut out in the circuit somewhere it seems!

[StevePem]

Could it even be a fob/immobiliser issue?

For some reason the system did not recognise the fob?

[Matt Parker]

It wont be fuel related unless you cranked it and it turned over and wanted to fire but doesnt. 45 and ZS have low fuel warning lights when the gauge reads low, i have had mine on quite afew times but mainly due to the car being parked on a slope down.

Your problem will either be ignition barrel(electronic switch back) or the 5AS as these can fail, early symptoms are the fob not working at normal range and having to be at the door or key in ignition before the fob signal is read. Does your fob work ok, have you tried your spare yet?
I had a 45 in this week for a simple starter motor, replaced then I came to try it and the fob didn't work, replaced battery and still nothing so plugged in my computer to match the fob up as it appeared to have dropped out of range but found that the 5as receiver had died, ended up having to turn off the immobiliser so the car could be used until the next year when they want a new 5AS fitting. So a little heads up for, but if that happens just let me know and I can sort it for you.
I have replaced ignition switches in the past on 25s for being worn.

[Tony]

The only time my ZS failed to start it was a loose earth wire on the starter motor.

[StevePem]

I don't have a spare fob for the ZS so maybe it would be a good idea to get one!

The fob seems to work ok, I need to be pretty close to the car for it to work but it has been like that since I got it.

I will check and clean the starter lead connector anyway as that will only take a few minutes so has to be worth doing.

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