Jump to content
The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Can you identify this problem?


Guru

Recommended Posts

Having trouble starting my VW Polo 1.9 diesel in the mornings and I think its the starter motor. Everything lights up and she turns over but then I just hear whats on the audio clip. After a million tries she eventually starts but it's not good with winter coming. Any ideas?

 

The file is an MP3 inside the zip...

Recording.zip

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For starters are you absolutely sure that your battery is in tip top condition ? A duff battery can give those symptoms.

 

Secondly it could be your heater plugs, pull them out and check, even if only one is biffed it can give those symptoms.

 

Or, if the above is ok then it looks like the Starter has seen better days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you key off or is it stopping turning over itself??

 

It stops itself.

 

sounds like the teeth on the starter clutch are worn meaning new starter motor required. also the teeth on the flywheel will require checking.

 

Yeah I am thinking the drive but not sure. It only really struggles in the cold but is clearly a general problem.

 

For starters are you absolutely sure that your battery is in tip top condition ? A duff battery can give those symptoms.

 

Secondly it could be your heater plugs, pull them out and check, even if only one is biffed it can give those symptoms.

 

Or, if the above is ok then it looks like the Starter has seen better days.

 

Battery is brand spanking new from Halfrauds last week. Will have a look at the plugs tonight. Never got them out so what am I looking for exactly?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check the battery earth cables too. Engine earth and chassis earth.

Do a volt drop check, neg. terminal on battery to engine. Crank starter, should be no more than 0.5 volts.

Check the positive side too.

Do a search I'm sure checking the starter circuit has been covered before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the glow plugs will not stop the starter from disengaging the way it is. you can hear the starter still spining but not engaging which relates to drive gear. as said before you also need to check the flywheel teeth. if they are worn then the new starter will not last that long.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No I'm not. The sudden increase in flywheel speed (caused by thr engine trying to start) will cause the starter pinion to be thrown out of engagement, this is normal and correct.

 

Eg. cylinder 1 glowplug good, fires ,engine speed increases

 

cylinder 3 glowplug good, fires, engine speed increases

 

starter pinion thrown out of flywheel

 

cylinder 4 glowplug no good, does not fire, engine dies

 

I have seen it loads of times, before dropping out the starter motor check the easy to get to things first.

If one of the glow plugs are a bitch to get to, leave it, just do the other three. If you find a faulty one replace it (I would do the lot, they all do the same amount of work) and try it again.

 

Doing volt drop checks on the starter circuit takes 5 minutes, checking glowplugs takes 5 minutes if you have an ampclamp, half an hour if you haven't.

 

If after checking for the above faults you haven't cured it then dropping out the starter is the next thing.

 

All I'm saying is, I would not start there.;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i know what your trying to say fredm but with a 1 glowplug out the engine speed will not be affected a great deal while cranking. 2 glow plugs out and it will be sluggish to start if at all it starts. but the sounds i'm hearing is of the drive disengaging but the stater itself still spining. even with the engine running if you have the key onto the start position it will not throw the starter out as the motor is still trying to turn the flywheel and all you get is a very sick starter.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What have I started :D

 

(not my car before anyone says!)

 

I have done a search in Yell.com and found a auto-electrician in walking distance. Will let him have a look first as I might be able to get it out but not diagnose it. If he fails to find a problem then I will look at the plugs and engine earths.

 

Thanks for the advice guys its much appreciated. Unfortunatly there is no prize for the winner apart from the joy of being right and able to diagnose a problem over the internet ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a million tries she eventually starts

This is also the case when a glowplug stops working.

 

The heat is only built up sufficiently when you've tried to start it many times.

 

I hope he doesn't charge for the starter and just fit a glowplug.

 

But when a glowplug isn't working you shouldn't hear any unusual sounds when trying to start the car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For starters are you absolutely sure that your battery is in tip top condition ? A duff battery can give those symptoms.

 

Secondly it could be your heater plugs, pull them out and check, even if only one is biffed it can give those symptoms.

 

Or, if the above is ok then it looks like the Starter has seen better days.

 

Blimey Fred, where have you been?!

You're the AA chap in Leegomery aren't you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And the winner is.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starter motor! Starts perfectly every time now and definitly a new one fitted don't worry. Teeth on the drive were buggered and the flywheel has marks on too but not massive. Might just turn the flywheel around though not replace.

 

All in all cost me £95 for the parts and labour so am happy. Thanks for all the advice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. You might also be interested in our Guidelines, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.