Problem with starter when hot

[TT Tim]

I hope someone can shed some light on this latest problem.

After a day hacking around Brands on Tuesday my starter motor started to play up, just clicking rather than spinning over. I guess it's got too hot. It also happened after a 30+ mile run down the motorway the other day.

So, anyone tell me what's happening, why and how to fix it?

Thanks

Tim

[david smith]

mine used to do the same with exception of no click!

spent a while planning my day making sure I filled up with gogo juice first then making sure I was at my destination for 2hours

the nice AA people agreed to replace it and that they did ... no hot problems now but was russian roulette the other week will it wont it

twiddled my silver key gently and seems OK now .. touching as much wood as I can!!

sorry cant help further ... by the way ..I was told wrapping heat insulation around it would help ... mine was wrapped and still did it!

DAS

[350matt]

if its just clicking, chances are it may be the wiring to the starter solenoid itself, as this can get quite crispy over the years.
I had the same symptoms and replaced the wire with new fittings and it spins over nicely now.
Also I'd say while wrapping the starter motor would prevent it from getting hot at first it then won't be able to shed any heat asorbed from the bellhousing etc.

I'd wrap the exhausts instead as this reduces the radiated heat in the engine bay quite a bit and remove any heat insualtion/ wrap from the starter motor.

[jonnie5]

I've got exactly this problem at the moment. I have diagnosed is as the wire to the solenoid which is no longer actually attached

Diagnosing it was the easy bit. I've sheared two step-down extension bars trying to shift one of the bloody 8mm hex nuts that hold the starter motor on!!

[carlb]

i believe it's something to do with the clutch on the starter solenoid

might be a load of twoddle but i read this was a common problem

[jonnie5]

jonnie5 said:

I've got exactly this problem at the moment. I have diagnosed is as the wire to the solenoid which is no longer actually attached Diagnosing it was the easy bit. I've sheared two step-down extension bars trying to shift one of the bloody 8mm hex nuts that hold the starter motor on!!

Quick update. Eventually got the starter motor out last night and fixed (well I say fixed ), put it all back together and she started first time :smuggrin:

A very proud moment for a spanner numpty!

[v8_oatz]

I had the dreaded 'click' tonight
Pressed red button, then tried again and it started
Should I start worrying now?

[jesfirth]

Yup. It all goes downhill from now on.

[walshy]

My mate had this problem with his griffith 500. when it was hot it would not restart. I think it is because the starter motor is between the exhausts and when they get hot it over heats the starter so it wont work! we solved the problem by wrapping the exhausts in heat proof material so the starter did not get too hot, this worked very well and have not had any problems since

[headcase]

v8_oatz said:

I had the dreaded 'click' tonight Pressed red button, then tried again and it started Should I start worrying now?

Your not pressing it right, try putting one finger in your ear while you press

Seriously, a click is usually either a duff solenoid or the cabling to the solenoid is frazzled, were talking the thinner cable not the whomping one from the battery.

[jonnyw]

Getting the heat out of the engine bay and blowing it out the back of the engine/gearbox casing is the ultimate solution.

I started a thread on this a few months ago as the heat cooks everything. After last years sprint at Abingdon the battery boiled over, the clutch fluid boiled over and the brake fluid expanded and poured down the inside of the bodywork and a week later the starter went.

I have had my manifolds ceramic coated, Andy at APM organised, cost about £300 and has made a big difference in running temperature of the car and generally in the bay. To the extent that it was too cold in the car in the winter as so much heat is going out the back, this is also proven by the rapid discolouring of the rear pipes and new smells from the extra hot pipes further back.

I am planning one more addition which is some ducting to blow down the V, I don't have aircon so it is an easy job, just to get some air movement over the V and down the back of the engine.

[TT Tim]

jonnyw said:

After last years sprint at Abingdon the battery boiled over, the clutch fluid boiled over and the brake fluid expanded and poured down the inside of the bodywork and a week later the starter went.

PMSL, thanks for that John, that should just about finish me off, can I ask a favour, if you see me weeping by the side of the road, don't stop just call the Samaritans.

Would be good to pick your brains on the idea of ducting. The other idea I has was fitting another fan, facing down the transmission tunnel, but that's probabally just stupid!

Tim

>> Edited by TT Tim on Friday 26th May 09:25

[jonnyw]

Tim,

Remember when your relationship with your Cerb gets to this level, never take a lighter or matches with you on a drive!

John