2008 makes "banging" sound when hitting start button
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
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2008 makes "banging" sound when hitting start button
Help! my '08 manual convertible has, on occasion, had start problems. I thought I had things fixed. Today when I tried to start to go on a beautiful winter day drive, radio and lights came on but I heard a sound like a "bang", which repeated but not engine start. It wasn't a "click" like I've heard before when I had electrical issues. I have NO idea what this might be. Has anyone ever had this happen with their car before?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
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Check the battery first. If the battery shows full voltage, it’s probably a starter issue. The banging sounds like what would happen if the starter solenoid engaged the bendix into the flywheel without the starter motor simultaneously cranking the engine over. You wouldn’t be able to discern that noise from the starter motor whirring if the engine cranked, but you would hear it if the starter motor doesn’t crank the motor over. The starters on these cars have a problem where the battery to starter cable lug breaks on the starter. Get someone to check that. Make sure they disconnect the ground battery cable first though, because if the battery is live, it could arc and start a fire.
