Starter motor......................again

[Colin RedGriff]

Tried to start the Griff last night to put it away after a run out so engine nice and warm. Alarm and immobiliser off, ignition on and the dash came to life as normal.

Turned the key to start the engine and nothing. No starter turning over, no click from the solenoid. Tried several times and then pushed car back in the garage.

This evening after having checked through lots of posts about starter motor problems thought maybe it would work once it had cooled down. But no still no sign of life from the solenoid or starter motor. The other tip I had picked up was the Basil Fawlty method so hit it (the starter motor) with a length of pipe and a hammer. Tried the ignition again and it started first time.

I'll probably get one of the hot start kits, for £20 it's a no brainer.

Occasionally when turning the ignition I'll get the click from the solenoid but no engine turn over, however release the key and try again a couple of times and it fires up. Car has a brand new battery (see recent post )

Is the starter motor on it's way out?

Is it worth getting the motor out and giving it a clean down as I saw one post mention that this also helped.

[RAFBOY]

It will get worse trust me ,Had exactly the same prob with mine last month, a new starter motor is the answer , while you're at it put a modwise hot start kit on too !!!!

Edited by RAFBOY on Thursday 19th July 21:27

[dmax]

ive been there, done that...as it is the only trouble I had since i got the car. Me I would advise ypu to try fistly the hot start kit, as me, i firstly changed the solenoid, then, the complete starter, and it was still not 100% OK (even when cold i had sometimes just the click even with brand new starter) . Fitted the hot start kit, and everything is fine, and i guess , the old starter was prbably still OK.

[JoolzB]

dmax said:

... and i guess , the old starter was prbably still OK.

As was mine, it's back on the car and has never caused any probs since. I have the starter motor mod plus a shorter earth from the battery to the block. I also cleaned up and lubbed up the solenoid whilst it was off. The kit is defo worth having imo even if the starter motor is on it's way out.

[Simon.b]

For def do the hot start kit first.

Then remove strip and clean, dead easy, before buying a new one.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Colin RedGriff]

Thanks - I'll order the kit first and see how things after that.

[red griff roger]

Forgive dumb question - wot is 'hot start kit'? Replaced my motor twice now, as it eventually gets so it won't go when v hot, and standing around the car park for a couple of hours is very un-cool.

[LeggitS3]

Hi Colin,
Not sure if this is of use to you, but Dulford / TVR car parts do a heavy duty starter motor for the chimps and griffs that is a bit tougher so doesn't suffer. It comes from South Africa or something like. I had one fitted and no probs since.

Probably stating the obvious but sometimes when they get stuck putting it in 4th and giving it a rock works and is easier than crawling under it.


Cheers

Tallis

[Simon.b]

TVR wired the starter solenoid directly to the immobiliser output.

The META system (don’t know about the others though I suspect it’s the same) has relatively low power circuit board relays. When the starter begins to wear a bit and/or get hot the relay cannot provide the necessary current to power the solenoid.

The hot start kit puts another relay in the circuit (this is what Land Rover do as well, I think) that provide the starter solenoid with more current allowing it to over come any stickiness due to wear and heat, greatly prolonging the effective life of the starter.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Colin RedGriff]

LeggitS3 said:

Hi Colin,
Not sure if this is of use to you, but Dulford / TVR car parts do a heavy duty starter motor for the chimps and griffs that is a bit tougher so doesn't suffer. It comes from South Africa or something like. I had one fitted and no probs since.

Probably stating the obvious but sometimes when they get stuck putting it in 4th and giving it a rock works and is easier than crawling under it.


Cheers

Tallis

Thanks after tapping it the other night I tries again yesterday and same thing.

Had it out today it was covered in oil - I think there is a leak from the rocker cover. Cleaned it up and tested it - everything looked fine so put it back and it seems OK at the moment - 10 restarts without an issue. But I'll be giving David a ring for his hot start kit on Mon day anyway I think.

Roger
The hot start kit is (as simon says) a kit to put a relay in the starter motor circuit to allow a bit more current to flow to the solenoid. You can buy it from David Beer at mod-wise (www.mod-wise.co.uk )

[spend]

LeggitS3 said:

...but Dulford / TVR car parts do a heavy duty starter motor for the chimps and griffs that is a bit tougher so doesn't suffer. It comes from South Africa or something like...

Might be the Prestolite unit, they are a S.African company. There were loads of people selling them a few years ago @£50, when a few of us fitted them.

Dave

[crackedfinger]

spend said:

LeggitS3 said:

...but Dulford / TVR car parts do a heavy duty starter motor for the chimps and griffs that is a bit tougher so doesn't suffer. It comes from South Africa or something like...

Might be the Prestolite unit, they are a S.African company. There were loads of people selling them a few years ago @£50, when a few of us fitted them.

Dave

Were they any good?

[red griff roger]

Colin RedGriff said:

Roger
The hot start kit is (as simon says) a kit to put a relay in the starter motor circuit to allow a bit more current to flow to the solenoid. You can buy it from David Beer at mod-wise (www.mod-wise.co.uk )

Thanks Colin. You have a great taste in car colour!