Starter Motor issue (not solenoid)
Discussion
Dear PH,
I have a grumpy starter motor, ie: it doesn't always crank. Sometimes it does on the first try, sometimes it decides to make me wait a few, or ten, twenty attempts.
Frustrating, and a little embarrassing sitting there clicking away if there are witnesses....
I did search, but haven't come across these specific symptoms:
The solenoid always clicks solidly.
The fuel pump always primes.
BUT.....sometimes it cranks, sometimes it doesn't.
When it does crank, it does so at full speed, so not a weak battery...? (It behaves the same with a freshly charged battery)
When it cranks, there's never an issue starting, it fires and runs perfectly straight away.
There doesn't seem to be any consistency at all, and removing the key, or switching back to the zero key position then trying again, clutch up or down (or any combination/variation of the above) makes no repeatable difference.
I'm pretty sure it's not an immobiliser issue (various Meta upgrades, including remote boot release), but happy to be proven wrong.
In my tiny, sawdust-filled mind, it seems like the solenoid doesn't always complete the contacts across the heavy current cranking circuit for some reason.
If that's the case, what would be the cause and corrective action? If not, all suggestions gratefully received.
I await the bestowal of the collective PH wisdom.
Iz.
I have a grumpy starter motor, ie: it doesn't always crank. Sometimes it does on the first try, sometimes it decides to make me wait a few, or ten, twenty attempts.
Frustrating, and a little embarrassing sitting there clicking away if there are witnesses....
I did search, but haven't come across these specific symptoms:
The solenoid always clicks solidly.
The fuel pump always primes.
BUT.....sometimes it cranks, sometimes it doesn't.
When it does crank, it does so at full speed, so not a weak battery...? (It behaves the same with a freshly charged battery)
When it cranks, there's never an issue starting, it fires and runs perfectly straight away.
There doesn't seem to be any consistency at all, and removing the key, or switching back to the zero key position then trying again, clutch up or down (or any combination/variation of the above) makes no repeatable difference.
I'm pretty sure it's not an immobiliser issue (various Meta upgrades, including remote boot release), but happy to be proven wrong.
In my tiny, sawdust-filled mind, it seems like the solenoid doesn't always complete the contacts across the heavy current cranking circuit for some reason.
If that's the case, what would be the cause and corrective action? If not, all suggestions gratefully received.
I await the bestowal of the collective PH wisdom.
Iz.
It may be the starter solenoid like you suggested when the solenoid/shunt gets energised the contacts for the motor are closed these can burn/erode away over time causing the very issue you have , I have personally had my own starter fail in this very way you describe years back didnt have any luck just locating a sensible brand solenoid (I like to repair stuff) so grabbed a clean S/H Bosch P38 range rover starter (same pt no) off Ebay for £25 and been going strong for the last 10 years
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff