Member Since: 17 Aug 2017
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 230
Starter Motor Dead
Any words of wisdom before I bump start it and take it to the garage?
Out in the car a few days ago, all working fine. Was letting my boy have a drive on a field on Salisbury Plain, he stalled the car a couple of times then when attempting to start again the starter went slower and slower then stopped (as if the battery had died). Still had 12.3v on the battery and the same again in the second battery. Turn the key and nothing, not even a click from the solenoid.
Bump started the car and it runs fine. 14.4v when running. Charged the battery overnight just in case - still nothing. Plenty of voltage in the battery, can hear a click from the relay but nowt from the starter. Swapped relays as well which also did not help.
There appears to be no 'mega fuse' on this early car so ruling that out. I have taken of the undertray and can't see any issues with the wiring to the starter, does not seem to have been rubbed across the dif and shorting out.
Any ideas? I don't have a great deal of time on my hands right now so tempted to get it to the garage and aim to replace the starter motor. I recon the car knew I was planning to sell so is punishing me for a lack of loyalty.
5th Dec 2019 2:13 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72742
Jumpstart it from another car, just to rule out the batteries?
5th Dec 2019 2:21 pm
Bodstruck
Member Since: 17 Aug 2017
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 230
Done that, no difference. Lights don't dim when I turn the key which if you are following the Haynes troubleshooting for starter problems apparently indicates no power being drawn by it and therefore it is kaput.
5th Dec 2019 2:34 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
Check the earth wire to the engine by putting a jump lead from the battery negative to a good point on the engine.
I have seen them rot through and cause issues like yours, i think i have read somewhere that the positive wire to the starter can rub and start to short.
5th Dec 2019 3:25 pm
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 871
Had same, it was Earth strap behind plastic wheel arch cover drivers side.
It has 2 straps there so clean and secure both as I only did one and the problem wasn’t as bad but intermittent till I realised another was there
Photo shows 3 points of contact
* rear negative on starter Motor
*chassis ground
*body ground
This strap grounds all 3 at once
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5th Dec 2019 5:56 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10336
SO as you are getting 14V when running, this rules out the thick main cable to the battery and the big fuse by battery+
It maybe worth swapping the relay under the bonnet marked SM
but as you describe the starter getting slower and slower, unlikely.
So good tips above about the earth wires.
Also check the one from battery to the inner wing
5th Dec 2019 6:05 pm
Bodstruck
Member Since: 17 Aug 2017
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 230
Thanks for the tips.
No big fuse on this one and I have tried swapping the relay.
Just checked the earth from battery to inner wing and all good.
Put a jump lead between battery neg and engine and still the same.
Next job - check the earth behind wheelarch trim. I did have the wheel off yesterday and struggled to see the earth. Do I need to remove the inner wing cover?
5th Dec 2019 7:31 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10336
I don’t think all age cars have that earth wire.
So probably not worth lookin if you have jumped battery to engine metal
5th Dec 2019 8:03 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8043
Starter going slower and slower and above checks done points to the starter, badly worn or dirty brushes or rotor worn. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
5th Dec 2019 8:39 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
The OP says that the starter solenoid no longer clicks either so not totally a knackered starter. You say your battery still has 12v? I had a 4 month old battery fail on me which read 12.2v but was only producing 30% power. New battery under warranty sorted it.
Just don’t rely on your battery having 12v, it’s the current draw that counts.012MY RRS 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography (Current)
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5th Dec 2019 10:36 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8043
Re: Starter Motor Dead
Bodstruck wrote:
Any words of wisdom before I bump start it and take it to the garage?
Still had 12.3v on the battery and the same again in the second battery.
Bump started the car and it runs fine. 14.4v when running. Charged the battery overnight just in case - still nothing. Plenty of voltage in the battery, can hear a click from the relay but nowt from the starter. Swapped relays as well which also did not help.
I totally agree you need amps to turn the starter, but he has tried jump leads and a second battery, but it still depends on sufficient amps as well as volts.
12.3v suggests a flat battery depending if anything else was drawing current, a fully charged battery should be nearer 13v after being on charge overnight.
If the battery was at fault there would be numerous other symptoms like the jolly old Christmas tree dash lights.
If the battery drops below 9v when the starter is being operated it is highly likely the battery, but it could be a faulty starter:thumbsup:It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
6th Dec 2019 9:01 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10336
Didn’t he say the dash light didn’t dim when attempting to start.
I’d say it was above 9v
6th Dec 2019 4:54 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I think he has ruled out the other common faults, he has also said that hes taken it to a garage for repair so you woukd also expect them to carry out a few simple tests before replacing the Starter motor.
6th Dec 2019 5:34 pm
Bodstruck
Member Since: 17 Aug 2017
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 230
Thanks for all your help and pointers
Not gone to the garage yet. Need to tow it up the road so I can bump start it then drive it to the garage. Job for early next week.
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