Have a problem...

I tried to turn my car on this morning, turned the key and I hear this "tickticktick" come from the passenger side of my TR (where the ECU is behind the dash) Needless to say, the car didn't start. I popped the bonnet and checked the voltage of the battery, sitting on 12.1V. Went back to the car, turned the key and it started first go.

This isn't the first time this has happened, it's been going on for the last few days, I wonder if it's my battery or maybe my alternator... It does it when I've left the car sit for a few hours/overnight, and no, no lights are left on.

It wanted to stall the other day at the lights, it's an automatic... wtf is happening. It seems that the ECU resets itself too because it gets rather sluggish.

What a nightmare!

Sounds like mine, I have dramas with the ign switch (its been through 3).

I just wired in a start button, looks cool and bypasses the ign switch.:D

Sounds like mine, I have dramas with the ign switch (its been through 3).

I just wired in a start button, looks cool and bypasses the ign switch.:D
Are you referring to an engine start button or something to that description? Is this ignition switch you speak of located over in the direction of the ECU?

I had a similar problem - in my case it was the starter motor.
Sometimes it would start no problems. Other times nothing - just the tick tick from the passenger side footwell.
Dropped it into an Autoelec guy. He fixed the Starter Motor - no problems since.

must be in the water coz a few months ago i had the same problem of my car stallin and not starting it stoped but kept on blowing the indicator fuse when ever it was under load like when over takin or towin a boat trailer but not high rpm only like mid 3k but since i have put in the new altinator its all good infact brilliant and a funny story about that altinator guy wanted 320 just for it not including labour so i went down road bought it for 260 and paid lecy thats a friend of my step dads 50 to install so in total 310 and im happy as larry

Are you referring to an engine start button or something to that description? Is this ignition switch you speak of located over in the direction of the ECU?

Ignition switch is where you put your key to start the car...... :bowrofl:

The ticking is usually the control relay which is over that side. It controls the power to the injectors, so if there's intermittent power coming through the switch it may be messing around with the ECU making it chatter the control relay a bit.

Try the above suggestions, and do check the connections on the starter motor, as the 4 cyls had issues with these terminals coming loose over time, which allowed the solenoid to click, but didn't allow enough current through to turn over the motor. I sorta doubt this would be the cause of the issue though, as it isn't really consistent with the car starting perfect second attempt. Try replacing the ignition switch as Ol' Fart suggests too.

As an additional suggestion, the fuel pump will only run for 5 secs while starting the car, and will turn off again if the car doesn't start (this is a safety feature which means if you have a crash and split a fuel line, it won't continue to pump fuel). If there is a fuel pressure issue, due to a leak or a blocked fuel line, it may not be gaining enough pressure for the injectors to work, but on second attempt the fuel pressure may make it to high enough pressure to start. Just a thought, but it's similar to what I've been experiencing with my TP, which has a faulty fuel pressure reg. Maybe replace the fuel filter and get a pressure check done on the fuel system. You may find you have a faulty pressure regulator, weeping injector, blocked filter, leaky fuel hose (you would know if you had this probably).

battery voltage may be too low to handle the cranking draw from the starter motor

I would suggest a new battery.... then look at the starter motor

Ignition switch is where you put your key to start the car...... :bowrofl:

The ticking is usually the control relay which is over that side. It controls the power to the injectors, so if there's intermittent power coming through the switch it may be messing around with the ECU making it chatter the control relay a bit.

Try the above suggestions, and do check the connections on the starter motor, as the 4 cyls had issues with these terminals coming loose over time, which allowed the solenoid to click, but didn't allow enough current through to turn over the motor. I sorta doubt this would be the cause of the issue though, as it isn't really consistent with the car starting perfect second attempt. Try replacing the ignition switch as Ol' Fart suggests too.

As an additional suggestion, the fuel pump will only run for 5 secs while starting the car, and will turn off again if the car doesn't start (this is a safety feature which means if you have a crash and split a fuel line, it won't continue to pump fuel). If there is a fuel pressure issue, due to a leak or a blocked fuel line, it may not be gaining enough pressure for the injectors to work, but on second attempt the fuel pressure may make it to high enough pressure to start. Just a thought, but it's similar to what I've been experiencing with my TP, which has a faulty fuel pressure reg. Maybe replace the fuel filter and get a pressure check done on the fuel system. You may find you have a faulty pressure regulator, weeping injector, blocked filter, leaky fuel hose (you would know if you had this probably).
:bowrofl: I thought he was referring to an auxillary DIY switch or something, forgive my blonde moment!!!

I will purchase a new battery :( Expensive things that they are, and report back!

I have a parts car, should I just swap the starter motor over to my car anyway? Or only if the problem persists?

Put the other starter motor and battery in mate, should fix the problem!