Non- Starter

[mk14dr]

It would seem ive broken it. Whilst trying to get it started on wednesday morning i've managed to ruin the starter, now when i try to crank I get all the symtoms of a dead short (the dash lights go out) and a heavy metalic 'thunk' from the starter motor/solonoid

 

So, with this one packing up so quickly ( its a bosch unit, and was brand-spanking 12 months ago ) I was thinking about hi-torq items, Ive been told that mini starters work - can anyone confirm?

 

D

[escort21]

What engine? is it high compression?...if not it shouldnt ruin a new motor!

 

 

It is out of gear right?........

[mk14dr]

What engine? is it high compression?...if not it shouldnt ruin a new motor!

 

 

It is out of gear right?........

 

 

100% sure its out of gear and its a 65k 1100HC, to be fair to the starter it has had some real hammer over the last 12months.

At the moment (before this happened) its been quite difficult to start from cold, with sometimes upto 5mins of on/off cranking before it would fire. We thought it we'd sorted it with a new 80amp altenator, plugs, electronic ignition, dizzy and leads, but it never sounded to be cranking quick enough Either way its definitley shagged now

 

D

[Mick The Mig]

Is the battery fully charged? Check voltage with a meter, should be at least 13 volts.

[mk14dr]

the battery is brand new last week ( when it started to get really cold round here) and its in the boot with a quick release so i take it inside everynight to charge it (stops it getting nicked too )

 

D

[escort21]

If the voltage drops below around 9.5v when cranking your batteries had it

[Guest MK1gaz]

Check your engine earths up to the job (not too small so gets hot when your cranking) and check it's got a good connection at either end . Then try jump starting it from a booster pack or another car (if it still don't turn over then it's the starter) and if it now spins over then it's the battery or loose main live cable/connection

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

Check your engine earths up to the job (not too small so gets hot when your cranking) and check it's got a good connection at either end . Then try jump starting it from a booster pack or another car (if it still don't turn over then it's the starter) and if it now spins over then it's the battery or loose main live cable/connection

 

Exactly what I was going to say.... Top Advise

 

I will also add that you are only supposed to crank an engine in 20 second bursts with a pause inbetween. Constant cranking will f*** the starter motor

 

*edit* Also while I think about it, you say you charge the battery overnight every night??? Are you trickle charging it? If not, you may have knackered the battery by overcharging it.

[Slik 50]

Try giving the starter a whack with a big hammer, Like Jim said if you are constantly cranking it with the battrey getting flatter and flatter It can burn out the starter

[mk14dr]

It’s all academic really. The bendix is pretty much fused to the shaft....

I think it’s been gettin' hot

 

So what to do I need a new starter, does anyone recommend a specific company or do I just get another bosch jobbie and be a bit more sympathetic

 

D

[Guest MK1gaz]

I've had 4 starter motors this month so your not alone !!!!!!!!

[Burns]

stick a handle on it and do it by hand, it'll save you a fortune on starters

[marky4]

stick a handle on it and do it by hand, it'll save you a fortune on starters

 

that's a great idea i need a new starter motor and don't know what to get so i'll go for a handle

[mk14dr]

Right, new starter on, jumpleads on my dads mondeo and it was spinning like a goodun. but it just wont fire

 

Theres a good spark from the each ht lead. fuel at the carb, its spinning over planty fast but it just wont go.... as far as I can see it should go, no problems but maybe i've missed summat

 

what do you folks suggest?

 

D

[ZetecVan 2.0]

Check the spark plugs and make sure they're not wet. There may be a chance that it got flooded.

 

When the old starter was on, and it worked, did it fire up easily from cold?

[mk14dr]

Check the spark plugs and make sure they're not wet. There may be a chance that it got flooded.

 

When the old starter was on, and it worked, did it fire up easily from cold?

 

In a word, No.

 

Run the plugs out and althought they weren't bone dry, i was trying for a good 30mins with no choke/minimum throttle trying to get it to go. had to walk away before i lost it. how can something so simple be so difficult?

 

D

[ZetecVan 2.0]

Is your choke actually working? Try some ez start down the carb.

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

Is your choke actually working? Try some ez start down the carb.

 

Good advise, spray some Easy Start down the carb and it should fire, if not it will at least kick. Although there is fuel in the carb, it doesn't neciserrily mean it's getting into the cylinders. I had this prob on the Anglia and it turned out to be a blockage in the carb. Spraying a shot of Easy Start down the carb will eliminate the carb itself, so if it goes to fire, the carb is the problem

[bortaf]

when you fitted leccy ignition was it a 12V system?

if so did you remove the ballest from the coil feed?

if not is the second thin wire still on the solenoid?

[shamshin]

does the starter motor sound like its struggling or does it sound normal and just not fire up?