Starter motor issues

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chewieisawookie
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Starter motor issues

Post by chewieisawookie »

Hi Im having some intermittent starting problems with my 2.8. When I try and start the car the starter doesnt crank the engine although I can hear the solenoid. Then on the 2nd or 3rd attempt or so the starter will crank the engine and it starts and runs fine. The battery is good, only about a year old, and Ive cleaned up all the contacts. When i tested the starter on the bench it fired every time so Im wondering if its not engaging with the flywheel. When I dismantled the starter I cant see the thrust washer shown on the exploded diagram in the haynes manual, could this be the problem and does anyone know where I get suitably sized thrust washers for the (Bosch) starter?

Any info would be much appreciated, thanks
James
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by Mc Tool »

Starter motor brushes are probly knackered ......not a biggie tech wise but still a pain in the arse .
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by Mr B »

Mc Tool wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 7:29 pm Starter motor brushes are probly knackered ......not a biggie tech wise but still a pain in the arse .
:agree:

Might be wise to consider replacing/repairing ASAP as sods law says it will leave you stranded in the most inconvenient place possible....and It'll probably be raining as well!

Wayne
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Peter-S
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by Peter-S »

I had something similar a couple of years ago. It was an earth problem. Make sure that the earth lead on the battery is clean, tight on the terminal and also check and clean the connections to the body and engine block.
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stevemarl
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by stevemarl »

Peter-S wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 9:49 pm I had something similar a couple of years ago. It was an earth problem. Make sure that the earth lead on the battery is clean, tight on the terminal and also check and clean the connections to the body and engine block.
And of course, that would explain why it does work on the bench.
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by Mc Tool »

On the bench the jolt from the solenoid can be enough to jiggle the brushes into action , bit like tapping the starter whilst bolted to the motor.
The solenoid coil earths thru the brushes /armature and if you can hear that clicking ,usually the dodgy brush connection will fire the solenoid but wont flow enough current to move the starter........and as you say Wayne ......one day the solenoid wont earth and no amount of finger crossing or key twisting will get you home
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Bug
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Re: Starter motor issues

Post by Bug »

What's the battery like?
On my old 2.8i it only had to drop a little bit and there wasn't enough power to turn it.
Enough power to move the gear along the shaft to engage, but at that point it tries to give a big lump of electrickery to the starter, doesn't have enough and gives up.
Just one other thing to check.

NB. Although in my hazy recollection, I believe this may have resulted in the starter motor 'chattering' as it kept flying forward, giving up, falling back, and repeating.
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