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[Peter13]

Hi Guys,

It's been a long time ... and yet again I'm here with a misterious issue
My x30xe automatic started not cranking in hot summer days first two years ago. When the car was running for 2-3 hours in hot sumnmer and I stopped it, it didn't crank a minute after. I had to wait for another 5-10-15 minutes and everything was ok. It was the same this summer. Then suddenly...

Last week it started doing this even in cold (5-10 celsius) weather. My mechanic replaced the starter motor to a renewed one, but the issue was kept!
It starts when cold okay. Starts when hot a bit slower but it still works unless I wait 2-5 minutes.... then it is dead for 1-2-3 hours. Not cranking at all.

We've checked the grounding, the ignition switch and the relays so far. Neither of them was it.
Have anyone ever seen similar to this?

Thanks.
 

[tunnie]

Do a paperclip test, bet you get a 19 error code. As you describe classic crank sensor failed 

[tunnie]

Sorry just checking, does engine crank but not firing?

Or is engine not turning over at-all?

[Peter13]

No turnover at all.
It cranks and starts on the first turn after cooling completely down.

[Entwood]

If by "not cranking" you mean starter motor does not turn engine, and only when hot ... then check ALL the earth (0v) connections from the battery to the body and the engine to the body. Once the engine is running leave it  running with the headlights on for 10 minutes then feel the temperature of both the terminals, and the thick leads to the battery. Its possible that there is a high resistance that is worse when hot (metal expands when hot) that is stopping sufficient power getting to the starter motor.

[symes]

on my rover---it was a cracked torque converter/starter ring same symptoms as your miggy though

[Peter13]

We tried to rule out the earth connection issues by adding a direct cable from the battery 0 to the engine without success.

Symes, did you mean the flywheel on the starter ring?

[symes]

yes-starter ring /plate----my buick locked up-really tight at times for hours-then all ok---pulled starter ring off-cracked 
changed it----all good now-----as said-buick not miggy-got me thinking though

[Simon.rose1]

Bit of a long shot but could it be the gearbox selector switch getting warm and inhibiting the starter cause it needs taking apart and cleaning and is arcing over inside had the issue on an auto vectra a while back like this

[henryd]

Bit of a long shot but could it be the gearbox selector switch getting warm and inhibiting the starter cause it needs taking apart and cleaning and is arcing over inside had the issue on an auto vectra a while back like this

Certainly worth the OP feeding the solenoid direct from the battery to eliminate the switch/wiring/inhibitor

[Peter13]

Thanks for all the advices.

We managed to rule out the gearbox selector substituting its relay with a direct connection.
I have been waiting to do the non crancking stuff again to be able to test what if I direct feed it, but this bastard find a new way to poke fun at me.
Today after 7kms driving we stopped for an hour. When I tried to start, the starter motor was running free and it kept doing this even when I removed the ignition key!
Then I unplugged the battery to stop it, but it was still turning (only the starter motor like a hair dryer, it didn't drive the engine!). After some round of battery disconnect-waiting-reconnect, it stopped then crancked okay.

I think ther will be something sticking around the bendix or whatever its name is.

[05omegav6]

New starter motor then leave that too long and you run the risk of setting light to something 

[Peter13]

That's my concern! The starter motor was just replaced last week!!

[05omegav6]

That's my concern! The starter motor was just replaced last week!!

I would be taking that back then

[Gaffers]

It sounds like the solenoid, did they change the motor and keep the original solenoid or was that new as well?