Starter motor removal - quick and easy?

[smash]

So I spoke to a lcoal specialist for alternators and starter motors and he's happy to look at and repair the starter if I can get it sdown to him.

So.....question is - disconnect battery couple of bolts I guess but how easy/quick is it to get out?

[adam quantrill]

Can be easy or tricky depending on the bolts. If they are the hex-drive ones then find a matching bit for your socket set or chop up an allen key and use a socket. Crack each one first - if it goes then you will know it won't be hard. I had one rounded one and it was a pig to remove.

Why bother reconning the starter though - you can get a new one for around £70 e.g. fleabay item 111363488704 but also check the LR specialists and shop around. The modern ones are smaller, lighter and spin the engine faster. As they are smaller they also are further from the exhaust manifold so less heat soak and also you can install a heat shield as there is room.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...I got mine off by first disconnecting the battery and then jacking up the O/S front..Axle stand on the point where the tubes meet..I left the Jack for extra support..Undo the two bolts, Mine had socket heads in so i had to buy a hex head socket set..7mm i think it was..Connectors off..Pull it out..A word of caution though mate be careful as its fairly heavy...Ziga

[carob]

Only did it once on my first wedge. Pretty much as Mark says, also prepare to scream at it a lot and lose some knuckle flesh. Room is the main obstacle.

Rob

[hallsie]

A great man once said 'you need the hands of a paedofile' TM Wedg1e..

Good luck!

Stu

[350zwelgje]

Not too bad on mine, as in nothing special or abnormal, if the right hand front wheel is removed.
Think last time it took a quarter of an hour to take it off.

Rob

[smash]

Both bolts were loose - ah-ha! I thought this will be the intermitent starter problem.

Took the starter to Southend Alternator Centre anyway for a check and all good.

Rebolted tight and.....still triggering intermitently!!

Also not running on all 8 when first started takes a while for them all to join in.

I give up!!!!

[Urban67]

Mine was a real pig to get off, luckily we had the manifold off already to repair it so access was slightly better
One of the bolts would not move at all, must have been put in dry, no matter what we did it would not budge
So we basically smashed off the old starter and cut off the head of the bolt turning it into a stud
Then fitting the new Powerlite starter was easy
I would definitely recommend the Powerlite, it works very well
Also renewed the positive lead as it had started to melt on the exhaust manifold
Sometimes a hammer is needed!

Chris

[RCK974X]

smash said:

Both bolts were loose - ah-ha! I thought this will be the intermitent starter problem.
Took the starter to Southend Alternator Centre anyway for a check and all good.
Rebolted tight and.....still triggering intermitently!!
Also not running on all 8 when first started takes a while for them all to join in.
I give up!!!!

Unfortunately, starter sounds like the classic TVR disease, dodgy wiring....only way is to breathe deeply, sigh, and then start inspecting the wires and earths. As with many other threads, it's just too bloody common on our wedges.

Ideas -
Could be the ignition switch ?
Could be a faulty battery ?
you MUST have really good connections on the large wire - battery to starter. It carries several hundred amps when cranking.

(Did these get covered elsewhere ? sorry if they repeat)

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 28th May 20:36

[mrzigazaga]

Urban67 said:

Also renewed the positive lead as it had started to melt on the exhaust manifold

Hi mate..As Chris has said here..Have you checked that the main feed is ok and has not been cooked!..Can you get a short vid of it cranking....Ziga

[Wedg1e]

Feeble connection of the spade terminal to the solenoid will give intermittent non-starting; has happpened to me a couple of times. Crimped on a new female (sounds a bit iffy ) and all has been well... not that the bloody car has been anywhere for two years