Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Okay so yesterday i was in town with Neels our 3.2 DID 2001. i went into a shop, got in the car, put the key in the ignition and turned the key. nothing happen. i thought to my self - well i was to just to quick for the engine light to go down. so i turn the key to the off position, turned it back on, waited for the lights to go out on the dashboard (the orange engine light) and started the car without hassle. this happened twice.

today on the 4x4 track on the last obstacle, as my husband wanted to start the car it did it again. i was like - that happen to me yesterday - just wait for the lights to go out on the dashboard (engine light), and he was like - that doesn't work. eventually after opening at the bonnet, staring at the insides, some of the guys suggested rocking the car back and forth will in gear. this helped and the car started. back at the braai site when we wanted to leave, same thing. had to rock the car back and forth and then it started. stopped and the garage to pump the wheels, again rocking the car before it started. went strait home, got my platkar, went to the winkels quickly, on return back home my husband try to start the car thinking that if it cooled down it will help. but no its dead. rocking even doesn't seem to help. all the lights on the dashboard are coming on. and the battery was replaced about a month ago.

about 3 months ago she did she same thing that she was dead and we had to switch her on and off and the engine light stayed on. when we switch her on and off again all was well. she did it later the same evening and then nothing again until yesterday.

another thing we picked up is that there is noise on the radio sometimes, like a earth wire somewhere is loose and if you honk the hooter you can even hear the hooter on the radio.

can these 2 been in relation to each other and if not - where to start searching for the ghost?

Start with tHe basics

Clean battery terminals
Clean ground connections
Clean alternator connections
Clean starter connections

Check that you have 12v on the starter if the key is turned, it could be an ignition switch that makes intermittent contact.

Some reading matter on he subject attached

Just an update. We have found today that by wiggling the key in the ignition it tends to start. will take it to a auto electric place during the week to have it checked out.

Just double check that the plugs are all making good contact

HBannink wrote: it could be an ignition switch that makes intermittent contact.

Tel tot 10!!! net gou stoom kom afblaas.

The auto electrician it was suggest i go to - told me that my key holders is to heavy on the key and that it pulls the keys out of the ignition and that is the problem. i need to take it to the keymakers - because thats what they are going to do. take the iginition out and send it away!! The keymaker tells me its a electrical fault. not the keys!!

honestly do i look stupid because i am blond and a woman. so i will go tomorrow to my electrician who will listen to me when i tell him there is a problem on the wiring. eish!!

and then hopefully we will have an answer!!

I understand your frustration, but it does happen that a heavy set of keys causes wear in the key mechanism. The result is an electrical problem.

(Reminds me of Dave Ingle (?), who was/is a wizz at getting insane kWs out of VW boxer engines.
His Beetle held the 0-100 record in the CAR magazine for many years.
During one of his runs, the engine blew rather spectacularly. When asked what the problem was, his response was "Electrical fault!"
When the pool of engine oil on the ground and all the smoke was queried, his response was something like this:
"I told you it was an electrical problem. A conrod came through the side of the block and destroyed the alternator - electrical problem" )

update on our little problem. it seems its the flywheel that might be the problem.... but seeing how much it cost to replace the flywheel - we learned to live with the problem - untill we fix some other stuff on neels

mmmmmm. flywheel is mechanical. There is no electrickery attached to the flywheel.

When you try to start it (and it doesn't start), does it click in the engine bay or not?

If yes, then the solenoid contacts may be dirty or the solenoid spade connector may not be making proper contact.

If it's not clicking in the engine bay you may have a faulty ignition switch or a faulty starter relay.

Take it to an auto electrician to sort it out. I'd bet money the flywheel has nothing to do with it.