Starting problems when hot VT

[roxy84]

Hey,
We are having problems with our 98 vt that seem to be gtting worse. Not all the time but every now and then i will be driving and stop the car. If i go to start it again within say ten mins or so it just wont start.
It sounds like a battery will crank first time and more you try it eventually wont crank at all and judt clicks. The battery is fine though also the alternator should be as we replaced this recently with the starte motor. Its strange cause if you open the hood and let it sit for half hour or so it might go.
People keep telling us its the battery, but its definatly not. Any ideas ??
Also just wondering if anyone knows what causes the ticking type rattle from motor when you accelerate, seems to be getting worse also.

Thanks guys !!

[wortus]

It's probably the crank angle sensor (CAS) looking at the engine from the front of the car it's located on the front to the right of the harmonic balancer. The CAS's become sensitive to heat and stop working. To test this when the car won't start tip some cold water onto the CAS and if the car starts then go and get a new CAS fitted. I've been told the non genuine ones aren't that good so stick with a genuine part. There not that expensive and a mechanic can probably have it replaced in about 30 minutes.

If it's not the CAS maybe the fuel pump? Do you hear it prime when you turn the ignition on when the car won't start?

[Macca86]

Could also be a head gasket. I had this problem with my old VU. When I would pull up and then try start it while it was hot it wouldnt start. What is was was a small leak in the head gasket was letting coolant into a cylinder when turned off hot and then when Id try start it it would sound like a flat battery because it wouldnt kick over.

[graham7773]

some good leads above, just a thought, when did you last disconnect and clean all your battery cables and the cable connection to your starter motor. if they are in any way corroded, dirty or oily they will cause starting and charging problems. all the contact surfaces need to be bright and tight. same with any electrical connection in your car.

[roxy84]

Thanks guys, i will tell the hubby and he can check this out tomorrow, I told him i would get some good ideas off here, have used it before with lots of help from everyone is a great forum, he didnt think i would get anyone with ideas lol.
anyways thanks. Graham the battery is vurtually new and when we pulled it out to try to charge it , it said it had full charge already. Hubby did check a few things on the battery when it was out not sure what though

[Macca86]

Let us know how you go anyway Roxy For your sake I hopes its not the head gasket like mine was. $1330 bill and I got all parts and labour at trade prices :/