Where is the starter motor located?

[EvilJamesy]

As the title suggests....where is the starter motor?

I ask because I have reason to suspect mine is sticking and won't turn the engine over.

In case it's relevant, I noticed that the car would sometimes not immediately fire when the ignition key is turned, there would be a second or two pause before it sparked into life.

Having not used the car for about 3-4 weeks I jumped in it today, turned the key and nothing happened. The battery is fine, (I also tried with a jump-start booster kit just incase), the fuel pump whines so I do think the starter motor is just sticking.

So where is it located and what can I do to unstick it?

Please bear in mind I am not in any way mechanically minded.

ta
James

[Bassfiend229hp]

It's on the drivers side (in a UK car) and a complete bugger to actually get to ... in fact I'd say that there's no way to get to it from above to give it a tap.

Mine's occasionally playing up too.

[Quietlybonkers]

Could it be a bad connection to the starter motor or bad earth?

[EvilJamesy]

Possible its a bad connection but as its a fairly new starter motor (2 maybe 3 years old maybe) so I suspect its more likely to be sticking due to lack of use.

[Quietlybonkers]

On my 1967 mini it was a case of remove starter motor and lubricate bendix gear, he said, remembering back to 1975.....have they changed much in 30-40 years?

[chim666]

Quietlybonkers said:

On my 1967 mini it was a case of remove starter motor and lubricate bendix gear, he said, remembering back to 1975.....have they changed much in 30-40 years?

Oooo, that brings back memories of my dear old MG BGT !

[debaron]

The solenoid could be 'creeping' rather than doing what it should so if you can get it out - disassemble and clean should sort you out. There's a great thread with all the details needed on here somewhere......

[JFReturns]

Think you need to get the car jacked up / on ramps. IIRC, it is near the sump and looks like this:

[kslett]

It is possible to get a small hammer into the gap at the side of the driver's side cylinder bank, as far back as you can reach. You'll be holding the handle by your fingertips but there's just enough space to tap the starter motor to unstick it. If someone can try and turn it over whilst you do this, so much the better. I had to do this once or twice a year. HTH

[Julesprivate]

EvilJamesy said:

Possible its a bad connection but as its a fairly new starter motor (2 maybe 3 years old maybe) so I suspect its more likely to be sticking due to lack of use.

That's about the life expectancy I'd have for a starter on the Chim.. Only because of where they're located and the heat soak they have to contend with..

[kslett]

It is possible to get a small hammer into the gap at the side of the driver's side cylinder bank, as far back as you can reach. You'll be holding the handle by your fingertips but there's just enough space to tap the starter motor to unstick it. If someone can try and turn it over whilst you do this, so much the better. I had to do this once or twice a year. HTH