starter problem.

[john]

problem is sometimes it just spins and doesn't turn the car over, I have removed it and tested as follows.

earthed the motor body, put the positive to the small bolt (bottom 1 on the pic) and both the solenoid and starter spin as expected.

when I put the + to the big 1 on the left it does nothing, surely it meant to so something or is that another earth?

[wheeler]

The big terminal on the left is the main battery positive feed, it is normally permanently live straight of the battery but it wont do anything until the small terminal is energised as well.
Earthing the casing & powering just the small terminal should make the solenoid jump out but im surprised the starter actually spins ? Would normally need the big one on the left live & the small bottom one powered up at the same time.

[Xantidote]

Earthing the casing & powering just the small terminal should make the solenoid jump out but im surprised the starter actually spins ? Would normally need the big one on the left live & the small bottom one powered up at the same time.

My thoughts exactly

[addo]

It sounds ominously like a dead ring gear.

[john]

mmm, definately spins and pops out the ring/cog thing.

looks like a new starter then.

[Old-Guy]

mmm, definately spins and pops out the ring/cog thing.

looks like a new starter then.

No! What you describe is a starter in good working order, unless the starter pinion isn't being pushed the full length of the shaft. While the starter's out, and before you carefully refit it, check the ring gear on the flywheel - the toothed ring that the "ring/cog thing" engages with. If it's badly chewed or there's a gap in the teeth, the starter can't get a grip. In this situation, it's often possible to start the car by rocking it in top gear so that the engine is slightly rotated giving the starter a 'good' section of ring gear to start on.

[john]

i'll get a pic of the teeth,

[john]

ok i didnt read the above post properlly, i read it as pics of the cogs on the starter

here's the motor





will try and get pics of the fly wheel later, not sure how easy it will be with limited access.

[Peter.N.]

When you connect the starter does the pinion go right to the end of the shaft?

Peter

[john]

When you connect the starter does the pinion go right to the end of the shaft?

Peter

yes.

[xantia_v6]

It looks very oily. I suspect that oil has got into the one-way clutch and it is slipping.
Sometimes a good wash with a degreasant will help, sometimes (if the clutch is worn) it wont.

[john]

It looks very oily. I suspect that oil has got into the one-way clutch and it is slipping.
Sometimes a good wash with a degreasant will help, sometimes (if the clutch is worn) it wont.

if i wash it do i not run the risk if totally knackering it?

[john]

check the ring gear on the flywheel - the toothed ring that the "ring/cog thing" engages with. If it's badly chewed or there's a gap in the teeth, the starter can't get a grip.

hows that look?

[Peter.N.]

Looks as though the pinion is not fully engaging with the flywheel, you shouldn't get worn teeth with a pre engaged starter. Theorectically the starter shouldn't be able to rotate until the pinion is fully engaged as the motor contacts don't close until that point, so it would seem that something is awry with your starter.

Peter

[addo]

You can see there is good (normal) engagement by the wear marks upon the pinion. I'd like to see the flywheel rotated completely, as I suspect there is a pocket of intense wear which is bringing about the condition.