Starter Motor Advice

[virgil]

OK, so last night, the nice chap in the big yellow van tapped the solenoid of my starter motor as I turned the key, and hey presto sprnag into life. Need a new starter.

Quotes so far...

RPI - prestolite - £65 +VAT
TVR Car parts - ac delco - £135 + Vat
Leven have reccomended a bosch unit - not sure of price.

Can I buy the wrong one?

Has anyone ever heard of Prestolite...am I wasting my 65 quid and a PITA job by going for the cheaper one.

Is the AC Delco or bosch one the best?

Ta.

Virgil

[david beer]

Still say fit the relay, or at least try it first. Ok it means crawling under the car in your case, but will be doing that anyway !!

[virgil]

david beer said:

Still say fit the relay, or at least try it first. Ok it means crawling under the car in your case, but will be doing that anyway !!

Car is at home now so I'll try it first, tonight if I get a chance...would be nice not to have to replace the Starter...

Thanks for your help on this.

Virgil.

[Ballistic Banana]

Agree with DB try the Relay first.

I have had the preolite one for nearly 3 years with no problems at all. £50 + vat see HERE
It spins faster than the others which is strange at first but i have got used to it.They are made in South Africa ( so I hope it would be better in the Heat) I know of 2 people who have had them and not been pleased as the quality has let them down.

Good Luck

BB

[icb]

Had loads of starting problems, fitted new motor and no better. Fitted David's kit and just done TVR Power trip in Europe with no problems at all. Best £20 I've spent.

[JoolzB]

Unless your starter motor has genuinely met it's maker I'd go with the DB suggestions/mods, they worked for me. I'd fitted a Prestolite and it had the same problems as the original starter motor from day 1. After months of trying different things I refitted the original starter motor and it's been fine(the solenoid mod and new earth to block had been fitted with the presto in place).

I know of a few people who have gone with the presto and have had problems, BB appears to be the exception unless anyone else on here is happy with one?

For not alot of dosh and a worthwhile mod anyway I'd try DB's suggestions first.

Good luck

[Ballistic Banana]

Oh And heres some info DB supplied for us to help Thanks DB

Clicky Here

BB

[virgil]

Thanks for the posts guys.

Checked voltage at starter solenoid circuit last night - 12volts from the starter wire, rock solid. Fitted a relay in place and checked circuitry - all ok, but still nothing on turn of key. 12volt direct to relay from battery, 12volt from (30Amp) relay to solenoid tab - all ok but nothing.

Took a (big) cable straight from battery to starter solenoid - still nothing.

Slight tap on solenoid - engine started. Stop engine, start engine, nothing. Slight tap on solenoid, starts OK.

Cant see this can be anything other than fried starter, now. Will leave relay in place though when fit new one, for good measure, which should be here today, AC Delco one.

On another note, its amazing how far can you jack up a griff and still only just be able to fit underneath!!

[griffy]

I regularly got through a starter motor evry 9 months. Since fitting a Bosch one and the Modwise hot start kit I have had no problems at all - even in +30 degree heat and drving 7 hours a day.

I would suggest that the modwise kit is the best place to start with any starter faults as it's only £20 and will provide an extra kick to of power to the starter.

[virgil]

griffy said:

I regularly got through a starter motor evry 9 months. Since fitting a Bosch one and the Modwise hot start kit I have had no problems at all - even in +30 degree heat and drving 7 hours a day.

I would suggest that the modwise kit is the best place to start with any starter faults as it's only £20 and will provide an extra kick to of power to the starter.

Blimey 7hrs a day in 30+ heat...where you been, Australia ?

[bluebottle]

I fitted the modwise kit on mine after knacking 3 starters in 12month. It hasn't totally cured the hot start problem, but at least it doesn't knock out the igniton/main fuses now

[virgil]

Got the old girl up and running yesterday...new starter called for.

Quite an easy job once you commit yourself to getting very mucky. Though the power cables have to be undone, done up after the two socket screws are removed, or you can't get a spanner/socket on the nut. If only I have a garage and a lift/ramp!

Just have to put the dash back as was and tidy the foot well up!