HELP! Strarter motor doesn't turn over

[Deleted]

put the new engine in tink

charged the battery

but when you turn the key the starter motor clunks as if it's engaging but doesn't turn

it's the seperate solinoid type of starter

Help please i'm clueless

[Miniböttcher]

sounds like the solenoid is messing about, cheap fix , HIT IT,

then try to start it, if not replace, but your battery may be dud even if you have charged it, so try jump lead off another car to boost the power it may not have enough power to start

[Simon1275mpi]

Dig out the multimeter then.

Has the engine got an earth strap securly fitted?

The starter motor is held in by only two blots. Disconnect the batter then remove the motor still wired up and then try to start it. (After reconnecting the battery.) Just to prove the motor works.

Suspect the helix on the startmotor gear is dirty. Give that a good clean, a single tiny drop of oil and start again.

[Deleted]

cheers for all your help guys

looks like 2 new moura audi 3.2 quatro batteries again £70 each

and i'll pick up a new solenoid and probably a new starter motor aswell £20 after surcharge

yep engine has an earth strap and i cleaned the connections back to bare metal

[Miniböttcher]

you dont need to pay that much if your in eastbourne pop down the car shop, he know which battery will fit you battery box and give you a better turn over, i think its from a montego,

and you get a discount and you should get it for about £50 or less,

[Stephen]

if its inertia type, place a (insulated!) screwdriver across the solenoid to test that it turns over. if it does then you know the solenoid is faulty

[Stephen]

and £70 each??? WTF? My battery was £35 on halfords trade card, and thats the biggest that will physically fit in the tray, i tried them all!

[Deleted]

after having the intimate electrical workings of a starter motor / solenoid explained in great detail from basic principles by a collegue at work

tonight- i'll give the solenoid a tap with the hammer and bridge the terminals with a spanner and see if that works

then saturday a quick trip to minispares and pick up a new solenoid and or starter

[monkeyjim]

you can get both locally . try autolec , or ajays motor factors .

[Stephen]

don't bridge the terminals with a spanner- use an INSULATED screwdriver!!

[Deleted]

well the spanner welded itself to the old solenoid but still nothing

so atleast the old battery was working

right replaced the starter as even when off the car connected dirrectly to the new battery it only farted a bit

replaced the solenoid

connected a new earth directly to the starter
and still nothing

took the starter off the car connected it to the wiring with jump leads turned the key and it went fine

checked i could turn the fly wheel and fan belt ( bit of resistance but it seems fine)

so put the starter back tried to move the fan belt

sweet FA........ wouldn't budge

do i have the right starter?? does the other kind work differently or something?

given up this weekend

[Deleted]

oh and the spanner was suggested by an electrician

will hold a higher charge but doesn't need to be insulated as it passes the charge directly to the other terminal

path of least resistance and all that

[Miniböttcher]

had the same problem on my friends ford fiesta the alternator had jam which was stopping the engine from turning over ,

we checked and cleaned the starter it was fine and moved freely,battery fine good voltage, engine turn very slightly with a ratchet on the crank, so we started to take bits off thinking it maybe a rod or some like this, the alternator was the first thing taken off ,tried to turn it and it was solid, got a socket and ratchet on the end of the crank and it turn over fine,

replaced the alternator, every was sorted

i think there are only 2 kind of starters one with a solinoid on the starter and one with out. with a solinoid on the inner wing

did it melt any wires or blow a fuse when doing the doggy spanner trick, i think he may of been joking,

are you sure the engine is fine???, put it in gear and rock it backwards and forwards you should see it turns over manually.

if it does put the ignition on put it in second gear get some one to push it, drop the clutch, hey presto,

[Deleted]

right just read up on pre engaged and believe i'm using the wrong starter motor as the teeth on the fly wheel are at a different allignment and spacing

means i have to find a away to extend the loom unless i can bypass the attached solenoid and use the inertia one

[Miniböttcher]

extend the loom or change the starter which ever is easier, i would do the starter as it is quicker and less hassle