Starter motor problem

[rev-erend]

OK

So I thought I'd go out and start it the beastie ..

No such luck.

It makes a clicking noise when I turn the key and
you can see the fan belts inching round.

So it sound like the starter motor is engaged all the time ?

How do I fix it - just take it off and clean it ?

[mjc]

probably wrong, but that sounds more like a flat battery to me....?

[dougal]

Mine does that when the battery is flat too. Either that or bad earth.

>> Edited by dougal on Friday 23 April 10:27

[rev-erend]

Thanks guys .. did noyt think of that.

I was out there getting the indicators going .. but that does not need much power.

I'll check with a volt meter.

[K4TRV]

I'd agree with Flat Battery - starter bendix has had enough speed to spin out and engage the starter ring, but not enough battery ummph to then turn the engine over sufficiently to start.

Jump leads or charger needed I fear.

Trev McM

[gbbird]

Still could well be the starter motor . I had this very problem a while ago - even Topcats initially thought it was the battery but it did turn out to be a knackered starter motor. Make sure its not just simply stuck before any more intervention - try pushing the car back and forth

[Edt]

Give the starter motor a thump

Regards, Ed

[rev-erend]

Thanks guys..

I'll get me hammer out - oh and me volt meter.

[rev-erend]

Well - it's sorted now.

Yes - the battery was 'flat' - 11.8 volts.

Not enough to turn it over.

The new one had 12.8 volts static - and 13.6~13.8 engine running.

The performance of the old battery has been going down hill for a while - I did not really want to change it
not down to money (the usual 63pounds + vat) but due to the shere size of it and knowing that it's a night mare to remove.

Yep - nighmare.

But done now.

Thanks to everyone for their comments on this.

I was so happy - I even cleaned the car - ready for the WEDGE run out tomorrow.