Sticking starter motor??????????

woodhead722 · Unread post by **woodhead722** » 26 Jun 2005, 04:20

OCCASIONALLY my 405 diesel key just turns - nowt there.
Short time rocking in gear, it will start, so I assume the starter motor is 'sticking'.
Question is WHAT is sticking, why, and can it be reasonably easily cured??
TA!

Peter D · Unread post by **Peter D** » 26 Jun 2005, 15:26

No you mean you are rocking the car whilst the key is in the start position ?? The starter is not engaged until the pre-engage is powered up and you can here them click in and you cam measure to 12 feed to the solenoid, not the big feed that should be 12v all the time. You need to check this as it could be an ignition switch problem.

JFK · Unread post by **JFK** » 26 Jun 2005, 20:32

Just been through the same saga.
Rather than tell the epic story of my `clicking starter`, I`ll give you the benefit of my experience, which should save time and money

Isolate the fault
Do this by availing yourself with a decent electrical cable.
Attatch one end to the starter line terminal on the starter solenoid. Are there 2 wires on this terminal ? (see below)
Car out of gear. Touch briefly the other end of the cable to the battery +ve. If the engine turns normally, having repeated 3 or 4 times, you can assume the starter and solenoid are OK.
Do this first !. I didn`t, and lost a day taking the starter out and giving it a refurb. Not a total loss I know, but it can be avoided if needed.
Do you have a factory fitted alarm perchance ?
Post your results.

Peter D · Unread post by **Peter D** » 27 Jun 2005, 00:04

Do that on a diesel and the 400 amps or so is going to burn you fingers, not a good idea, use a meter or a 12v bulb to identify what is powered and what is not. Regards Peter

JFK · Unread post by **JFK** » 27 Jun 2005, 00:43

Nonsense.
This check simply verifies the starter wire, which only energises the solenoid. 400 amps ?, I think not. 2 more like.
Once energised, the large current from the battery is carried along the main starter cable, through the solenoid (different contact) and thence to the starter, through the windings to earth.

Peter D · Unread post by **Peter D** » 27 Jun 2005, 17:30

Excuse me for breathing, you said
'Attatch one end to the starter line terminal on the starter solenoid. Are there 2 wires on this terminal ? (see below)
The starter line treminal is usually regarded as the output of the solenoid to the starter i.e. the high current side.
The solenoid starter line is totally different and would not need a "DECENT" bit of cable just something that would take a few amps"
Many pre-engage solenoid units don't give to access to the starter line contact as there wire them directly out of the solenoid boby into the starter housing.
Carefull you do not hurt yourself when you step off your high horse.
Nothing is so simple it can not be mis-understood.
Regards Peter
No offence intended.

JFK · Unread post by **JFK** » 27 Jun 2005, 21:38

I don`t do squabling, sorry.

Peter D · Unread post by **Peter D** » 28 Jun 2005, 02:17

Your trying to help someone with less knowledge than probably yorself or they would not be asking, so the wrong info can do damage either to the car or the owner, just a little care goes a long way. Regards Peter

woodhead722 · Unread post by **woodhead722** » 30 Jun 2005, 04:07

Thanks for your help!
Trouble is I don't remember if the problem occurs with or without a "click", which after all can indicate just a tired battery also!
Waiting for the next chance to listen more carefully................

woodhead722 · Unread post by **woodhead722** » 01 Aug 2005, 15:32

Problem occured yesterday. Didn't try tricks with wires, but when turning key there were 2 clicks: -
One from key area
Second from small blue box under bonnet which houses the solenoid switches.
No other noise at all, but absolute minimal rock in gear and started no further problem.