Hi, I'm a new member here & I've just bought an automatic 1995 V6 3.0L TS Wagon. Wish I had found this forum before I had finalised the deal. I've read a number of threads on issues on getting a magna started, however, I'm not sure if they are the same as what I'm experiencing.

I can start my magna from cold with no problems whatsoever, however when the car is at normal running temperature I have this intermittent 'thing' when the car won't even turn-over! All the lights are on, but there's not even a click from the starter solenoid. Leave it for a bit and it will start after one, two, three, sometimes more tries. I've tried wriggling the key & moved the selector up & down to see whether that has any effect - they didn't & nothing was repeatable.

Originally I thought this was caused by the battery. The previous owner had neglected it, due the water level being so low and the heat of the engine caused all the water to evaporate, therefore not leaving enough oomph to turn the engine! I have sorted the battery water levels now, but I have this issue where it won't start on demand.

1. Has anyone had a similar issue?
2. It is a simple fix? Could it be caused by a defective battery?
3. What is the 'clicking' sound that comes from passenger side during the ignition phase? This disappeared during the 'non-start' tries, however it is present during a successful start.
4. Can anyone recommend a magna specialist, as there are some other issues that I need to be sorted - CV joints (clicking during full left lock driving forward) & a cambelt change!

Thanks in advance,
Melbs_Magna

Forgot to say that I live in the centre of the Melbourne, so I'm ideally looking for a specialist nearby.

Yeah that's your battery mate, lack of water has damaged the cells in the battery. Get yourself a new battery and you should be right, otherwise look into getting a new starter motor (last resort).

I had the same drama with the clicking a few weeks ago, I'd wired the earths of my foggies up to the metal of the fusebox in the engine bay and I think that it didn't like it very much so I hooked it up to the ground terminal of the battery. Problem solved. Clicks disappeared and car starts beautifully every time. Clicking is the relays for the starter? Can't remember.

Welcome!

had a similar problem on a galant, ended up being the ignition barrel. just had to jiggle it a bit

battery condition checked (replace if over 2 years old for auto )
new/recon starter motor
clean and remove corrosion from negative and earth leads
clean back to metal earth contact to chassis
new bolt on type battery terminals


auto /neutral/isolating / starting switch

click is saying not eneough voltage to the computer located on the passenger side

As above.

The other thing, if there is a click can be the contacts in the solonoid as well, I am in Ringwood if that is not too far for you.

Ignore battery, if is a problem will be constant, especially when engine has been run.

Can be worn contact in ignition switch, inhibitor switch (these are known in all cars to cause issues however if this is the case will not click) or starter. Battery terminal being dirty will more than likely be all times especially when cold

Glad you posted this as I have EXACTLY! and I mean exactly the same problem. Car runs fine and starts after it has been sitting, but as soon as I start driving around it'll eventually decide not to start.

I notice that even the aircon/electrics don't come on when this happens. It's like that battery is completely flat. I found that you can start the car from underneath when this happens, we even wired up a switch to start it which we thought would fix it but it hasn't :(

I found that you can start the car from unerneath when this happens

Jamie what does the above mean? I've found that my electrics still work, lights for example. Does your 'check engine' light stay on for a few seconds? I'm thinking of perhaps getting some diagonstics plugged in to check all the engine switches.

I want to thank all those that have posted to this thread.

I think what I will do is start with the basics first and clean the battery contacts and ensure that all the earthing points are clean too. I have downloaded the workshop manual and I'm working my way through the 1300 pages of that!!

Funnily enough I took the car out last night & it didn't do it once. This is how unpredictable it is!!

However, if anyone can shed some light on what's happening I'd (and others I expect) be very grateful.

check engine light should stay on for a few seconds then go off...

treat your battery areas as stated.

Jamie what does the above mean?

Starting the car by using a screw driver to touch both metal plates under the car whilst the key is turned to on. We found that it started almost all of the time.