Hi all.

I've had an ongoing issue with my TJ Advance in regards to starting. Approximately 80% of the time I go to start it, it turns over but then instantly dies. 100% of the time it starts second go. This behavior is indiscriminate as it does not matter whether the engine is cold or hot. It never stalls once started (ie - idling at traffic lights).

I took it to my local mechanic and he had it for a week and tried a number of things. He sent it to the auto electrician who ran diagnostics with no luck. Here's what he tried and eliminated:
* looked for fault in security - ie - when wrong key is inserted the car should shut down
* Stepper (?) motor
* relays
* idler (not sure exactly what he tried here)
* diagnostics on computer - all fine

In the end he could only recommend to take it to a genuine mitsi mechanic as their diagnostic tools are more precise.

Anyone have any clues as to what it might be?

Thanks

Chris

Try doing a search - I seem to remember this problem being due to the battery being on it's last legs but don't take that as gospel.

Battery.
Battery voltage is low.

Had this problem three times now.
First time took it to the rapid service at Phil Gilbert.
The technician explained, changed battery and was OK for about three years.
So after approximately 3 years expect this problem to re-appear.

There are multiple threads on this issue. Some appear to go on for ever until the OP realises the advice is good and the short arms have to go to the bottom of the deep pockets to buy a new battery.

It will be much cheaper for you to buy a good battery on special somewhere and change in the next few weeks.
Gerry

It is the battery. There obviously isn't enough charge to keep the car started. You then Give the alternator a chance to charge it and off we go.

Dreggzy,
What I am saying is that the battery is on the way out.

With a Magna, based on personal experience with 3 good batteries over 10 years in the same car, is that the battery life is close to 3 years.

Because the Magna is very sensitive to battery voltage the symtoms that the OP described are that of an end of life battery.
Yes it could be a lack of charge from the alternator but the description "ongoing issue" is the clue.

Best check is to borrow a known 1 or 2 year old battery and try it.

My experience is that the issue initially occurs for the first start of the day.
Then starts to occur with later engine starts after the car has not been used for several hours, i.e at the end of the working day.

On the second time, I let it go for a couple of months and had the battery changed at the next service. Problem went immediately.

Third time, late last year, just bought a good battery on special at SCA. Again the problem stopped immediately.

Gerry

Exactly right Gerry. The battery has so little life left in it that it is unable to hold the required voltage (14.4) to start the car. If you replace the battery then the issue will resolve. While you are at it, clean the terminals with a wire brush. Sorry my post earlier was not well written. The alternator is not to blame. If anything, this gives credit to your alternator for being able to quickly charged the crap battery. One more thing, see if you can get an optima yellow top battery. They are about $400 but are the best.

Thanks all. Took the battery out and had it tested under load......and it failed. Have put a new one in and will see how it goes. My guess is all will be good.

How did we ever survive without the Internet!!!!

With great difficulty my friend. Good that you got all sorted. Be sure you got the correct size battery and you are good as gold.

Glad to be of help.
Gerry

I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to this: my TW has the same symptom, except that if I give it a rev as soon as starting, it doesn't die. But if I just start it, on the first start of the day, it starts then dies. And the battery is guess how old? -3 yrs. Sounds like it's time for a new battery.