SupraJames Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Hi all, as its a nice sunny day thought I would pull the car out the garage for an oil change, started car reversed out onto the drive to where i wanted to work on it, turned it off all as usual. Went back 5 mins later to start it again as noticed a tiny coolant leak from the top rad hose and wanted to confirm this is where is was coming from. Turned the key and nothing, checked to make sure i was not in D or R and I was not just got a click and nothing. Now I have a starter motor go before and it was not so sudden just now and again it would not start and sometimes would take several attempts to start, but I have tried loads of times and still nothing. Battery is full as it sits on charge when I am not using the car, have check voltage, and also the relay and all look fine. Thanks James Edited August 18, 2012 by SupraJames (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 When my starter was on its way, i would just rock the car back and forth a few inches. This usually freed it off enough to start it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ugp Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Hi all, as its a nice sunny day thought I would pull the car out the garage for an oil change, started car reversed out onto the drive to where i wanted to work on it, turned it off all as usual. Went back 5 mins later to start it again as noticed a tiny coolant leak from the top rad hose and wanted to confirm this is where is was coming from. Turned the key and nothing, checked to make sure i was not in D or R and I was not just got a click and nothing. Now I have a starter motor go before and it was not so sudden just now and again it would not start and sometimes would take several attempts to start, but I have tried loads of times and still nothing. Battery is full as it sits on charge when I am not using the car, have check voltage, and also the relay and all look fine. Thanks James No click from the relay or solenoid? I don't suppose you've got an immobiliser / alarm that's interfering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Tried rocking the car back and forth and nothing, yes there is a click, relay is working. Going to pull the starter off next week and overhaul it and hopefully this sorts it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ugp Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sounds like another starter rebuilt job. Is it a click from the relay in the engine fuse box or a more of a clunk, from the solenoid on the starter? You could try manually bridging the pins on the starter relay to see if it will spin over that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ok update time, overhauled the starter motor today but before hand bench tested it and all worked fine. Overhauled it anyway as already bought the parts. Go home refitted it and still wont turn over Chatted to Lee P and he suggested a few things so I have tried the following Turned over engine by hand with a 22mm socket on the crankshaft pulley and all turns over fine, no sticking or clunking. Tested power at starter motor and motor is getting a perm 12v and relay is working fine as tested the click connection and that is also getting a 12v feed on trying to start. The starter solenoid is clicking in as could hear and feel it working while under there. Starting to get a bit worried its something major that is stopping the engine turning over, is there anything else I can try..?? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Connect a jump lead between the engine and body. If it starts, check the earth straps. What's the battery voltage on cranking, and what is the voltage at the exciter wire on cranking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Cheers Ben will try that tomorrow, battery is a fully charged Yellow Top if that makes any difference. By exciter wire I guess you mean the from relay feed to starter..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 The little wire, not the main feed. Should switch to 12v on cranking. The chunky live should be a constant 12v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Yep tested those and both are working as they should, cant tell you exact voltage as using a very old multi meter lol. The solenoid is clicking in so would assume its also grounded ok. Car was started fine, moved then went to restart 5 mins later and this is when the problem started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Clicking says it's touching an earth, not necessarily a good enough earth to start the car. All else fails, run a live from the + on the battery directly to the starter, if it starts, it's between the switch and the starter. Also check the inhibitor switch. Wiggle the sh!t out of the gear stick in park and see if it goes then. You'd never have this problem on a 6spd.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ugp Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ok update time, overhauled the starter motor today but before hand bench tested it and all worked fine. Overhauled it anyway as already bought the parts. Go home refitted it and still wont turn over Chatted to Lee P and he suggested a few things so I have tried the following Turned over engine by hand with a 22mm socket on the crankshaft pulley and all turns over fine, no sticking or clunking. Tested power at starter motor and motor is getting a perm 12v and relay is working fine as tested the click connection and that is also getting a 12v feed on trying to start. The starter solenoid is clicking in as could hear and feel it working while under there. Starting to get a bit worried its something major that is stopping the engine turning over, is there anything else I can try..?? Thanks Did you try what I mentioned above? > You could try manually bridging the pins on the starter relay to see if it will spin over that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Ok further update, still having the problems starting to get worried its something major now. Have bought a digital multi meter now though, here is what else I have tried and voltage readings: Battery is a Optima Yellow Top fully charged using a CTEK XS3600 charger. Voltage @ Battery Terms - 12.74 Voltage @ Battery Terms when trying to crank - 11.77 Perm Live feed @ Starter Motor - 12.74 Relay Live feed @ Starter Motor when trying to crank - 12.11 Have connected a jump cable from starter housing direct to batt neg term (to eliminate earthing issue) - Problem is still there Bypassed relay but running a wire from starter direct to battery pos term (to eliminate relay issue) - Problem is still there Engine still will not turn over, starter solenoid is clicking in but starter is not spinning. Now either my starter motor is shot to bits or something is stopping the fly wheel turning. Really need the car next weekend for Trax but at this rate im starting to loose hope Any advise would be great, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Or if anyone has a known working starter motor I could borrow and is around the gatwick area..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 If you're using a 12v exciter to the starter motor and it's not cranking, the starter's dead. If you can turn the engine over by hand, it's not seized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraJames Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Cheers Ben and yeah starting to look like the starter is shot, just trying to find someone around here that might have one I can borrow, if this fixes the problem I will buy a new starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xm 1 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 what i did when my starter went, was to use a 4x4 and put it on the case of the starter and gently punsh on it with a hammer helped a few times....maybe the starter shaft is stuck or something???? isn't it possible to have the starter out of the car and use a battery to test it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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