Can you change the solenoids on Starters?

[TT Tim]

Following on from my knackered starter thread I've been wondering if you can change the solenoid on the starter?

But, what I need to know is, is it definately the solenoid that's knackered?

The symptoms are that the starter refuses to start when it's hot, just clicking rather than spinning over. In my experience this points to solenoid but I have also read that the resistance in the windings can go up when the unit is hot, but I will say that the ref' I has refers to US V8s.

As Tilton is US Co. getting spares is a PITA, but there is one web site I've found that sells solenoids.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Also, anyone know what the model/part no. the Tilton starter is?

Lastly, if I can't go this route is there anyone in Kent who has a spare starter that I could borrow if I need to send mine away for referb?

Thanks

Tim

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsear
www.tiltonracing.com/content.php?page=list2&id=6&m=s

[Steve_T]

I chap from the Surrey region had a hot start problem with his Chimaera. Since the existing starter was effectively scrap, he took the unit apart to see if he could fix it. What he found out was that the bolt that gets thrown by the solenoid has a near airtight fit within the bore in which it sits, everything else within the starter was apparently virtually new with no sign of damage, wear or overheating. He gave the bolt a very light clean up (using a fine emery paper I think) and reassembled. Problem solved. I wonder if the Cerbie suffers in the same way - maybe worth a look.

Steve.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Friday 12th May 11:48

[headcase]

You can change the the solenoid on most starters, i have never done it on a cerb but have on many others, usually it is held in place with 2 socket head bolts and a large bolt securing the cable to the motor. if you then take the solenoid to a proper autoelectrical factors (not halfwits) and see if they can match it up!