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Ghibli not starting properly

14K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  raw.chequex  
#1 ·
Hello, I have been having this issue with my 2015 Ghibli where I would drive it for a bit then park and get out for a few minutes. But when I get back into the car, it wont start up again so I'll have to wait until the engine cools down before it actually starts up. I was wondering if anyone was having this same issue or knows what it may be. Thank you
 
#3 ·
It is as if the battery doesn't work. It cranks once but then stops but when the engine temperature drops, it starts up normally again. I have had the battery checked twice and there is no problems. I cannot even use the start/stop as this makes the car not turn back on at red lights.
 
#6 ·
What region are you in? Petro, diesel? I didn't think US models had start/stop until '16, but I could be wrong.

I'd second it sounding like a starter issue. Doesn't sound like a fuel vapor issue if it won't even crank. How long does it crank for before stopping? half second, two seconds? How does it sound when it does try to turn over, does it sound slow like it would if it was -20 below outside, or does it sound normal and just suddenly stop suddenly like the ecu is cutting it off?

Also, how hot does the engine need to get to reveal this issue, and does it need to cool way down or just for 15-20 minutes?
 
#8 ·
I am in London, it turns 1 turn and then it looks like the battery is dead. But the lights on the instrument panel do not go out. The lights go out if the battery is exhausted. The temperature is normal but it works normally after 15 or 20 minutes. By the way, diesel
 
#9 ·
So it doesn't even try to crank for a half second? No clue what our starters are supposed to crank our engines at (and your diesel could be different) , but I would venture to guess it's around 150 RPM with a good battery and above freezing temps. So if you're barely getting one turn before it dies, it sounds like your starter could be the issue. A fuel issue would probably have different symptoms and likely not rectify itself after just 15 minutes of cooling down.

Since you've replaced the battery, it might be worth grabbing a friend and testing the voltage drop on the starter when it tries to crank. If the voltage drops off a cliff, then it's likely a connection issue either at the starter or somewhere between it and the battery. Your battery terminals should be pretty clean since our batteries are in the trunk, so I'd look at the starter first.
 
#11 ·
You might want to fully charge the battery. If it's not charging, it might be charging system fault.

i don't know ghibli system too well, but if there's a relay, it could be a bad relay or trigger connections. Check all relevant grounds, connectors etc with contact cleaners/enhancers ie deoxit, to ensure it's not a bad connection before replacing starter.

Long ago with a different car, i ran into similar problem when it wouldn't crack intermittently though a clicking noise was observed. I went thru all grounds, relay connections, fuseboxes, and cleaned every electric connectors I could find. It didn't help at time. It was getting dark so I left it sitting overnight. To my surprise it cranked right up on the first try in the morning and it continued to crank for the next 10+ years before I let go the car. The starter never missed a beat.
 
#12 ·
Hi. I have had a similar issue for the last year or so. Absolutely fine when cold. Drive for about half an hour and if I switch the engine off, then it won't start again, unless I leave it Colling down for half an hour.
Just had it serviced today, and the mechanics have said it might be the earth, as it was a bit corroded, so they've given it a clean and grease and tested it following an hour drive.
They said it's all good.

I've just driven home (30min drive). Switched off and car started a charm straight after.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Tom
 
#17 ·
Hi. I have had a similar issue for the last year or so. Absolutely fine when cold. Drive for about half an hour and if I switch the engine off, then it won't start again, unless I leave it Colling down for half an hour.
Just had it serviced today, and the mechanics have said it might be the earth, as it was a bit corroded, so they've given it a clean and grease and tested it following an hour drive.
They said it's all good.

I've just driven home (30min drive). Switched off and the car started a charm straight after.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Tom
where are they located? i will give it a try. my car turns on most of the time but it does it like every other day.
 
#14 ·
Hi
Having the same problem with my Dads Ghibli 2015 , after its been driven and got up to normal engine temp if you turn it off it wont start and turns over slowly like a flatish battery which is new
so not that .Cant risk using start stop . I have cleaned all the earths etc still the same just wondered if anyone sorted there's out ? Thanks
 
#16 ·
Hi
Having the same problem with my Dads Ghibli 2015 , after its been driven and got up to normal engine temp if you turn it off it wont start and turns over slowly like a flatish battery which is new
so not that .Cant risk using start stop . I have cleaned all the earths etc still the same just wondered if anyone sorted there's out ? Thanks
Did you ever figure this out? I have a 2015 Diesel in the UK and the exact same problem. Just drove for 90 minutes, parked, realised I needed to move the car a few metres and it wouldn't fire up for about 10 minutes. I need to switch off the stop/start function too because the car stalls often and then takes minutes before it will restart....
 
#15 ·
Hi guys, first thing to check, as mentioned before, is the wiring, clean all earth and positive connections, The salt on the roads in the winter does nothing good to the negative connections on the engine and bodywork.
The difficult bit is to find them all.
But normally when this is the problem you hear a clicking sound.
If that is sorted, then it is most likely the starter motor. Have it checked before changing it, sometimes it is only the sleeve bearings getting too tight when hot.
 
#18 ·
Hi all,

I also have exactly the same issue too now.
I am in the UK, 2015 Diesel with 78k miles now.
Cranks fine when cold, but not when hot. I have to let it cool down for 15 mins, then cranks and starts.

When it is hot, it cranks for less than half a second. Battery is strong.

I can see from the posts, some resolved by cleaning electrical contacts. Some did not
Did replacing the starter resolve for anyone?
Any help would be appreciated
 
#21 ·
Hi, I have a Petrol 2015 Ghibli, recently it takes 2-3 seconds longer startup the engine after filling up with petrol. It only happens after filling up with petrol. All other startup is normal. Doesn’t anyone come across this?
Will that be my battery problem (53%) efficiency.
Check with computer and no errors found.