Intermittent starter motor problems 450 SE

[AllezWasps]

Happy New Year all,

The starter motor on my 450SE is on it's way out I think. More often than not the car won't start of it's own accord, but after a very soft tap on the motor with a hammer, it will respond eventually.

My question is simply this: Is it a standard Rover V8 starter motor? If so, can anyone recommendations as to where I should go to get hold of one?

[grahamw48]

Can't you just take it off and give it a clean out first ?

Sometimes they're just gunged up.

Don't know if they have separate re-placeable brushes on these.

You can test on a bench with a car battery and jump leads.

[Wedg1e]

Probably just the solenoid sticking; strip and clean it, takes about an hour (excluding removal and refitting!).

I did a photo-strip of my last stripdown, thought I'd posted it somewhere but can't find it now (not even on my own website!).

The brushes probably won't be shot but you can get replacements easily enough.

[pwd95]

Got a spare one here Matt if you need it. It came off my old Red 350/450i. It's a bit sluggish when hot so would benefitt from some of that silver heat wrap around it. PM me your address if you want it, I'll pop it in the post.

[jmorgan]

I had an issue where the lead to the starter terminal was high resistance, around 50+/- a few ohms when measured between the threaded post and lead from the battery (battery disconnected of course!!!!!!). Start one minute, then click the next. Cleaned the terminal and washers etc and it was OK. Measuring zero across the post and the lead after and engages every time.

[AllezWasps]

Indeed it may well be the solenoid sticking. Ironically I have just had the starter on my Cerb refurbished after starting problems!

I will endeavour to get the starter out (should be fun!)and give it a thorough clean.

Wyn- if you can hang on to your spare just for the time being. If giving it a thorough clean doesn't work, I'll let you know. Thanks v much.

Matt

[Wedg1e]

Found my stripdown thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Wedg1e on Friday 7th January 02:29

[shoggyraminator]

Wedg1e said:

Found my stripdown thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Wedg1e on Friday 7th January 02:29

Now that is a top thread! Must have taken some time to load all thoes piccys.

[adam quantrill]

Nice one - article added to FAQ along wih some other starter-related ones.

If tou can't refurb you should be able to buy a new one for around £75 delivered. The last one I bought was smaller, didn't look that beefy, but really turns the engine over much faster than an original one. I think it was from the landrover place (see FAQ).

[AllezWasps]

I wimped out of getting the starter off and giving a good clean myself.

Glad I did in the end as I took the car down to Str8six and the considered opinion there was that it was completely shot. So- it has been replaced and now fires up without any grumbles at all.

Wyn- thanks for the offer of the spare starter motor but you can leave it on the shelf for a little bit longer!

[grahamw48]

Well, at least you're honest.

Never learn anything (and save a fortune) if you don't have a go though.

I've lost count of all the stuff I've managed to fix around the house that I THOUGHT needed an expert, or chucking in the bin.

The worst is that you can't fix it, but at least you know how it's SUPPOSED to work.