Starter solenoid on the way out ?

[bigdods]

Had the chim >2 years now and this one little problem keeps niggling away at me. Every now and then I go to start her and just get a click (a loud one) from under the bonnet but no starter turn over. Ignition off and back on , starter kicks in and away we go. Its happened when she is cold, warm and hot. In all this time she has never failed to start by just turning the key again. Should I be worried ? sticky solenoid perhaps ?

[kenny chim 4]

bigdods said:

again. sticky solenoid perhaps ?

Possibly- but the first thing I'd do is check the condition of the 100 amp alternator/battery fuse. It's set in a plastic holder near the starter motor and is better accessed by raising the front offside of the car. They perish easily

[Cider Andy]

Check the heavy starter motor cable first of all, for a clean, tight connection. An intermittent connection here would cause these symptoms. Similarly, check the other end of the cable, where it connects to the battery post. Check the battery earth connection as well, as it could be a problem with a heavy earth cable, although if it was I'd expect you to have all sorts of other electrical gremlins. If not a cabling fault, it lies in the starter motor.

The starter solenoid in a pre-engaged starter motor such as this has two functions. One is to mesh the starter motor gear with the ring gear on the flywheel, the other is to switch on the starter motor.

As you are hearing a loud click, it would suggest the solenoid is doing its mechanical job properly, but not its electrical one. The problem is likely to be the switch the solenoid operates, but it could also be the starter motor brushes. By stripping and cleaning the starter motor you'll probably get a bit more life out of it, but ultimately it will need servicing or replacing.

[spend]

kenny chim 4 said:

bigdods said:

again. sticky solenoid perhaps ?

Possibly- but the first thing I'd do is check the condition of the 100 amp alternator/battery fuse. It's set in a plastic holder near the starter motor and is better accessed by raising the front offside of the car. They perish easily

Thought I might as well send you round the houses as well
You could clean the stepper motor.

You might also take an aspirin

Dave

Please ignore this OP, unbridled sarcasm, sorry

[bigdods]

ah yes the solution to all chim problems, clean the stepper motor and change the 100A fuse Now why didnt i think of that ? ;-)

100A fuse changed at last service as a precaution so its not that. Leccy connections are good so looks like a new starter sometime later this year. or if I feel brave perhaps I will leave it and see what happens, its been doing it for 2 years so far....

(looking for wood to touch now)

Cheers

Dodsy

[david beer]

Try fitting a relay for the solenoid supply, ie hot start mod. The last pull of the solenoid is the electrical supply, if there is not enough pull, it may be the problem. It should be fitted anyway !

[bigdods]

Yep, hot start mod is on the list of things to do this summer, so maybe I will wait until warmer weather then do that before looking any deeper into the problem :-)