clickety click no start! is starter servicable.

tipi dave · Post by **tipi dave** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:16 pm

My starter motor just clicks sometimes, and its getting worse. I've read various threads that say that it's likely to be the solenoid. When I tried to get one, I was told, that i need a whole new starter motor for £120. Does anyone know how to remove, inspect and refit the starter. Or is it correct that it's not user servicable?
Any comments gratefully received.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:32 pm

A good auto electrician should be able to service it for you.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:36 pm

Before condemning the motor check the battery/terminals/cables/earth connections for serviceability - as Ian says, a competant auto electrician should then check out the rest for you.

wonkanoby · Post by **wonkanoby** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:05 pm

its only a few bolts to remove the offending bits

just draw diagrams as you do it

be sure all insulating washers go back as they came out

2 brass contacts

a plunger thing and a spring

on mine i managed to get the 2 contacts from a local

auto electrician who i have bought radio's from in the past

the plunger i cleaned up with a bit of fine wet and dry

infact its really only the contact on the side the juice comes in wears out

mine had gone from about 1/4 inch thick

to less than a fag paper

and best of all it came to 6 quid

wonkanoby · Post by **wonkanoby** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:15 pm

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

shows the bit wears out

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/instructions.html

was the link i found most helpfull

ferdyb · Post by **ferdyb** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:46 pm

Interesting, isn't it, that the guy on that 4crawler site, had this trouble with his starter after 210,000 miles, how many miles has your's done, Tipi Dave ? Just curious.

ferdy

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 1:39 pm

Mileage is irrelevant, it's the amount of time spent cranking the engine that is important. Therefore someone who does small journeys but frequently could find their starter requiring overhaul sooner than someone who spends their time cruising up and down motorways and on long trips.

tipi dave · Post by **tipi dave** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:26 pm

ferdyb wrote:Interesting, isn't it, that the guy on that 4crawler site, had this trouble with his starter after 210,000 miles, how many miles has your's done, Tipi Dave ? Just curious.

ferdy

185000km, so not a low mileage vehicle. Haven't yet removed the starter, but seems highly likely that it is the solenoid contacts...tried a local start motor and alternator specialist, but they didn't want to sell me any parts... they did offer to overhaul for £60 though!

I'll do a little more research to see if I can get some bits before taking it out.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:23 am

Not too bad a price if they give a guarantee.

tipi dave · Post by **tipi dave** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:45 pm

Thanks for the help, I cleaned up the solenoid contacts today (only took an hour) and all works well. Vroom vroom!
There were signs of wear, so I will need to find a supplier of new contacts/plunger... but at least now its not urgent. Does any one have any potential supplier address? my local dealer specialist just isn't interested in supplying the parts

clickety click no start! is starter servicable.

clickety click no start! is starter servicable.

temporary fix it