Starter motor

[mannkork]

Hi,

I think the starter motor of my 4.2 Cerbera is broken-down. I have heared that this is a common failure, but it is the first time that it happens to my car. The starter motor makes a noise like "klick klick klick" and this very fast but the engine is not turning. I thought the battery was down but I charged it and there should be engough power to start the engine.

Is it the starter motor broken down or is there an other failure?

Regards from Germany

Johannes

[FarmyardPants]

First make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight, if they are and your battery is good (try another one), it might be the solenoid. You could try this: take the cover off, the one below the windscreen (two allen bolts), put some rubber gloves on, grab hold of the starter or solenoid (the red-bull can-shaped thing attached to it), and get someone to press the start button. If there's an initial clunk, the solenoid is working, but if there's just a ticking sound then your solenoid might be shot. You could also try running a jump lead from the battery +ve to the back of the starter to see if you have a bad connection (connect to the +ve terminal of the battery last).

Hope that helps but bear in mind I'm not a mechanic

[RUSSELLM]

Personally I'd stick a set of leads accross another vehicle before you start looking at the starter motor

Good luck

[TT Tim]

If it's solenoid, and you have a genuine Tilton starter then a new solenoid comes in at around £30.00 from the US, a hell of a lot cheaper than a new starter!

Tim

[mannkork]

I just started the car with jump leads and the starter motor is fine . It can be the battery but it is only one year old and it was never down or it is the conecction between battery and the car or it is my charger. I think it is the carger. Next week I will use and other one and I will see.

Thanks for your help.

Tomorrow I have time to thing about this because I´m doing the Frankfurt Marathon.

Regards from Germany

Johannes

[Old Geezer]

Just a siuggestion, clean the inside of the battery terminals with ruff emery cloth to get a shiny surface.
Do same with battery terminals and use some of the special battery post grease and see if that helps.

Next would be to check the earth straps for corroded connections and same on the main power lead to starter.

Good luck
Steve