HELP - starter motor playing silly buggers!

[woodhead722]

My 405 diesel occasionally does not turn over when turning the ignition key.

However when shorting out the BIG two starter motor terminals for 1-2 seconds and re-trying with the key, it starts.

All I hear is something rapidly spinning (like a hair-dryer) as the terminals are shorted.

It is occuring more frequently now.

Could the solenoid be sticking?

Any advice MOST welcome - THANKS!

[fastandfurryous]

Yep, this sounds like a sticky solenoid.

2 options.

Change the starter for a s/h one. They are everywhere in scrappies, and are usually not much more than a tenner. (I also have about 4 if you want one posted to you)

Or, take it apart and clean it up. Which is a faff, and it's fairly easy to break some bits of starters if you're not careful, or have never taken one apart before.

[woodhead722]

Is there an easy way to start by shorting or connecting something else?

What part does the small spade clipped terminal play?

Does this receive a current when the key is turned to 'kick-in' the solenoid to bridge the big terminals?

Ancient cars used to have button on them which when pushed would turn the engine.

Thanks for your help.

[fastandfurryous]

From the questions you're asking, I would say the best thing to do is spend a tenner on a s/h starter, and shove it on. The starter is dead easy to change, being held on with 3 allen-head bolts, from the gearbox (the starter is threaded) and the electrical connections.

You *can* short out some terminals to try different things, but the solenoid slug has to move, as it performs two functions: to pre-engage the starter gear, and to engage full current to the main windings.

If you fit a replacement starter, you can of course pull the old one to bits, and answer most of your own questions. Looking at a starter will tell you far more than could be explained by writing it down.