V8S starter motor - rapid click
Discussion
Hi all,
Haven't been on here for some time! Car has been in garage, sorned for last 3.5 years. I keep it on trickle charge and start it up every few weeks. Tried to do so today but just get a rapid clicking when turning key, I'm guessing from the engine bay. Immobiliser disarms, fuel pump primes. I've had 'sticky' starters in the past that clicked just the once, and could be encouraged with a smack with a broom handle. This noise is different - rapid clicking while the key is turned. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a possible cause? I thought I'd try the broom-handle approach but couldn't see starter motor. The S bible describes its position as being the same as on the Wedge. I'm working in the tight confines of the garage and can't see it as easily as I could on my old Wedge 350i. Is it located elsewhere on the 3.9?
MTIA Steve
Haven't been on here for some time! Car has been in garage, sorned for last 3.5 years. I keep it on trickle charge and start it up every few weeks. Tried to do so today but just get a rapid clicking when turning key, I'm guessing from the engine bay. Immobiliser disarms, fuel pump primes. I've had 'sticky' starters in the past that clicked just the once, and could be encouraged with a smack with a broom handle. This noise is different - rapid clicking while the key is turned. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a possible cause? I thought I'd try the broom-handle approach but couldn't see starter motor. The S bible describes its position as being the same as on the Wedge. I'm working in the tight confines of the garage and can't see it as easily as I could on my old Wedge 350i. Is it located elsewhere on the 3.9?
MTIA Steve
If its any help, I would echo are you sure the battery is 100%? I had similar a month ago, When i tried to start my S1 i got a mechanical clicking noise, sounded like it came from underneath the car or from engine and was very loud. I took the battery out as im sure it was the problem and recharged it fully. Put battery back in and started first time.
cheers guys for prompt suggestions. I tried the headlights - they're very bright (after market 'lights on' buzzer very loud), internal lights are bright and fan works well on both speeds. Changed the battery charger from float to 100% charge and it read between 0 and 1 and moved toward 0 so all but fully charged. Will leave that way for a while and try again later. I have read, since asking, that if may be the solenoid switching on and off but not engaging motor drive with flywheel?
Steve
Steve
You will have a job trying to prod at the starter with it attached to the car, the solenoid is nicely surrounded by bits of chassis.
it goes here (starter not in the photo, it's a lot easier to take the engine out without it fitted)
That said I reckon your problem is a lack of electricities, either the battery or the engine earth would be my first things to look at. I'm pretty sure that's what mine was sounding like when the engine earth lead wasn't very well connected to the chassis.
ETA: if everything else is working then I would suspect the engine earth, all the body electricals are earthed on the other side of the chassis. If you've got a nice long set of jump leads attach one from something on the engine to the negative terminal on the battery and see if it works.
it goes here (starter not in the photo, it's a lot easier to take the engine out without it fitted)
That said I reckon your problem is a lack of electricities, either the battery or the engine earth would be my first things to look at. I'm pretty sure that's what mine was sounding like when the engine earth lead wasn't very well connected to the chassis.
ETA: if everything else is working then I would suspect the engine earth, all the body electricals are earthed on the other side of the chassis. If you've got a nice long set of jump leads attach one from something on the engine to the negative terminal on the battery and see if it works.
Edited by zombeh on Monday 5th May 17:54
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