Starter motor

[PLA]

I have had intermitent starting problems which I think I have traced to the relay/relays for the starter motor. I think the best course of action is to replace it/them. Assuming that this is the case does anyone know were to find them. Is it located in the battery compartment? Also is it a standard part?

[parrot of doom]

AFAIK the starter motor isn't on any relay. I think its pretty much connected directly to the battery.

Whats the problem exactly?

[PLA]

I have all the electrics working, including fuel pump, but as soon as you turn the key to start there is nothing, or at least this only happens on occassions, so what you are saying it must therefore be a bad connection somewhere? Although have checked terminals on the motor. Also had the loom out over the battery and checked battery its self. At the moment its starting fine but I can't trust it.

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Do you get a clunk from your starter motor solenoid when the key is turned, I had this problem on mine back in Feb so I have replaced the starter motor and haven't had any problems since.
Regards,

Paul.

[PLA]

No sound at all no click or dimming of lights as in a short. The only odd thing was that the green light on top of the door release knob was on, someting I've not seen before and it may have nothing to do with the problem.

[parrot of doom]

I'd suggest getting another battery and connecting that with croc clips to the solenoid the next time the car refuses to start.

If the car won't turn with the key, but will with the battery, you can eliminate the starter motor from the equation.

[PLA]

Thanks for the help. Bit of a b****r having to carry a spare battery everywhere I go!! I will get a mate of mine to carry out a electric test on the motor.

[Hughesie2]

PLA said:

Thanks for the help. Bit of a b****r having to carry a spare battery everywhere I go!! I will get a mate of mine to carry out a electric test on the motor.

Dont carry it then, try placing it the boot of your car, let the car carry the weight of a spare battery....

[snorky]

the green light is a button - it locks the doors. Will go off when you turn the knob to get out.

[smedlen]

PLA said:

intermitent starting problems

Does it only happen when the engine is warm by any chance?

It would be useful if you could get your mate to measure the voltage at the starter motor terminals when you are trying to crank the engine.

You probably need the Modwise/David Beer relay modification.

[PLA]

You are right on both occassions the engine was hot. I have started it from cold without a problem. So what is the modification?

[jimothy]

PLA said:

You are right on both occassions the engine was hot. I have started it from cold without a problem. So what is the modification?

Call me daft, but isn't this the good old hot start? Solenoid swells up when hot and won't budge so there's no cluck and no starting. Leave it to cool and it works again. Nothing intrinsicly wrong, just a design fault.

Cure - get a new starter motor and it'll be alright for a couple of weeks... Or get your exhausts ceramiced to cool the engine down, or get the modwise kit. Or just wait till it cools each time and push start if necessary.

[smedlen]

PLA said:

So what is the modification?

Your starter needs about 12 Amps to throw the mechanism. On the range rover wiring loom this is provided via a relay and some chunky wires. TVR ditched the relay and connected the thin wire intended for the relay directly to the starter motor. Not a good idea but just about OK if everything is brand new. The modification simple reinstates the relay (in the passenger footwell).

You could probably buy the bits you need from your local motor factor for a couple of quid. Alternately you could buy the simple to fit Modwise/David Beer kit from here: www.clarionservice.co.uk/ for a few quid more.

Alternately the specialists seem happy to flog you a £350 starter once a fortnight, or a worst than useless heat shield.

Mods, can this go in the FAQs please?

[PLA]

Thanks everyone for your help. I need to chuck the car back to Dream machines for something they missed out on the last service, so I will forward the info to them. As you say there is no way I need a new starter motor if the same the problem is going to occur in a few months time.

[chim500tom]

Paul, Buy the kit from David Beer (Clarion/Modwise) www.clarionservice.co.uk/ and get it fitted when you take it in to the garage. David will get the kit to you in a couple of days. I've had it fitted and haven't had any hot start problems since - hope I'm not tempting fate.

Really worth it - stops you looking like a complete dork when you go to the garage to fill up, come out and and sit at the pump for 10 minutes waiting for things to cool down sufficiently befor you can start up!