Bargain Basement Motoring

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mickthemaverick
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 26 Nov 2022, 17:37 ..........., but I would like to introduce a simpler push-button start option rather than relying on the dodgy ignition key barrel/switch.

Regards Neil
Plenty of options for a suitable button on ebay Neil for a fiver or so, you can even pick your colour!! :-D
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RichardW
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by RichardW »

Stick a relay in direct off the battery, easier than trying to get a wire inside!
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bobins
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

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One of these would be more reliable :-D
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by CitroJim »

I'm wondering if the breakage was caused by the shaft being bent and putting uneven and excess pressure on the pilot bearing in the end of the cone?

Was the starter a refurbished one or a brand-new one of reputable origin?
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NewcastleFalcon
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by NewcastleFalcon »

CitroJim wrote: 27 Nov 2022, 08:29 Was the starter a refurbished one or a brand-new one of reputable origin?
From 2019
NewcastleFalcon wrote: 03 Oct 2019, 21:20 Micra's got a starter motor! Cost £9 less than the whole car!
Just passed the 10,000 miles since I paid £100 for it back in February can't complain!
I never buy anything of reputable origin Jim! :-D , although I probably bought an OEM starter motor with a whole car attached for £100 back in February 2019 :-D

I think the starter motor (replaced Oct 2019) was from a local factors and probably a straight brand new one. Certainly I didn't exchange the old one (maybe the original) which was completely burnt out by the pinion failing to disengage from the flywheel.

I would say the ignition switch failings over time which I suspect is failing to consistently and reliably kill the feed to the solenoid are the root cause of failures. The broken nose cone is an unusual but by no means unique failure.

New starter motors....Bosch £215 Starline £72

I do less and less miles in the Micra particularly since the petrol price rises...restricted to van like duties round the doors, and the odd short out of area mini holiday trip. Comfortably less than 4,000 miles/year. I reckon the Starline at £72 and a new push button starter for not much over £10 all told, will more than meet the foreseeable needs (fingers crossed!).

Regards Neil
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by CitroJim »

Yes, no real contest between the Bosch and Starline one Neil ;) I know, given my small annual mileages spread across three cars, which one I'd go for...

Oddly, my Saxo starter motor began to play up when I resumed my driving career well over three years ago so I immediately bought a new one from Autodoc for a small price... I've yet to fit it as the old starter has been fine ever since... It sits there ready but likely will sit for a long time - at least it'll fit Bluebell too if hers ever fails......

here's hoping the Starline will give you long and reliable service...
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

It might be worth getting a refurbished starter motor from GSF, but I don't know if they would want the old one! When I got one for my first C5 it had been refurbished by Bosch. It cost me around £120, but I also got back around £60 when I returned the old motor in the packaging provided.
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by CitroJim »

The only problem there James, is the current failed one is very obviously badly damaged and may not be acceptable for an exchange...

If you still have your original old one Neil and it's not visibly damaged then see how a service exchange might be the way to go...
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NewcastleFalcon
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by NewcastleFalcon »

CitroJim wrote: 27 Nov 2022, 16:05 The only problem there James, is the current failed one is very obviously badly damaged and may not be acceptable for an exchange...

If you still have your original old one Neil and it's not visibly damaged then see how a service exchange might be the way to go...
I have never seen a more damaged starter motor than the one I replaced in 2019, the one that came with the vehicle. Absolutely destroyed when I took it to bits, completely burnt out. There is a token surcharge of about £6 within the £72 for the Starline but I am not expecting anything back based on the condition of my exchange offering!

REgards Neil
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by NewcastleFalcon »

Definitely think the push button starter is a necessity as part of the job but must say, is China the only nation in the entire world that produces push button starter buttons. The standard ones appear to be 12V 50A. Seeing as the ignition key/switch would appear to be the weakest link probably no need for a relay seeing as the signal will flow through the existing relays and other gubbins to the starter motor, and will be reliably extinguished by the push button switch.

The only small bit of cleverness about the key ignition switch is that in the "Start" position it shuts off the accessories, and the heater blower motor. The starter button will leave the key switch in the "On" position where all that stuff is activated.

Has the UK lost its ability to make push button starter switches :?: :-D Never shopped for them before but wouldn't surprise me if they had :-D

These are the most popular ones in town,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jtron%C2%AE-Ig ... 5636&psc=1


Regards Neil
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by CitroJim »

Last car I recall with a big, juicy starter button was the early first couple of years of the original Mini... Down by the handbrake...

The big drawback is you could operate them with the engine running... To the detriment of the starter and ring gear...

Neil, I wonder if it might be a good plan, for your car, to arrange an interlock that prevents the starter button operating if the engine is running...
Jim

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myglaren
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by myglaren »

Have a look at Farnell's selection.
There are likely cheaper alternatives.
I agree with Jim that a relay would be a good addition and can be made to disable the button when the engine is running.
Must try mine and see if it is locked out while the engine is on. Hard to hit mine by mistake though.
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NewcastleFalcon
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by NewcastleFalcon »

CitroJim wrote: 29 Nov 2022, 15:13
Neil, I wonder if it might be a good plan, for your car, to arrange an interlock that prevents the starter button operating if the engine is running...
Not sure I would have the first idea how to achieve that Jim!
I'll just write a notice out, "If you press this while the engine is running it's your own fault Neil". :-D

For all it seems like a Starter button should be the simplest of installations to do, the white signal wire disappears from the key switch immediately into a bundle of heavy harness trunking which disappears up towards the offside of the car. I thought it would work its way left towards the passenger side in a fairly obvious fashion and be nicely break into able centre stage.

Need to get the button first of course.

Regards Neil
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bobins
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by bobins »

If it's British engineering you want, Neil, then I think you need to get creative.
How's about repurposing a bomb release button from a Lancaster.....
Lancaster bomb release button - ebay
Lancaster bomb release button - ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195488595864

Or maybe a "WWII Air Ministry Starter Button Stores Ref: 5c/898 Spitfire,Hurricane,Lancaster"
WW2 Starter Button - ebay
WW2 Starter Button - ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115602786403

:-D
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myglaren
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Re: Bargain Basement Motoring

Unread post by myglaren »

s-l1600.jpg
Ebay, a tenner.