View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 13:15 Post subject: Starter Solinoid Issues |
|
|
Hiya,
I've a little bit of an irritating fault on the Monterey 3.1. When starting, there's about a 50% chance that the starter will spin up before the soliniod thows the gear on to the fly wheel - result being a wirring noise from the starter and a bit of grinding. Let it stop, try again, and it will either start or do the same again - never more than 4 - 5 times before it starts, sometimes straight away, sometimes on the 2nd try.
I've had the starter off, the soliniod appears to be working fine with a pair of jump leads across, and it does appear to be moving far enough since it's making the contact for the motor to spin up. The starter motor itself is fine, and the arm which the soliniod is clean and freshly greased.
The thoughts which I've had are, although the soliniod appears fine, it's the cause of the issue. And the batteries are not providing enough 'kick' to throw the solinoid before the starter spins up (although this doesn't explain that there is no difference if the engine is hot or cold, and that it will start eventually - where there has been a drain on the batteries).
Has anyone experienced the same problems as this? and if so, anyone know the cure? I don't want to rattle the ring gear too much if it's a simple fix.
Thanks guys.
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Google Sponsor
|
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 13:15 Post subject: Google Ads keep this community free to join! |
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
greasemonkey Lifetime member
Joined: 04 Nov 2006 Posts: 1024 Location: bury st edmunds, suffolk
|
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 15:19 Post subject: |
|
|
Hi This is typical of a knackered starter
remove it and take it to an auto sparky
they can confirm that its kaput
and re furb it for you
even with flat batteries the starter should engage
but it will turn the engine over slowly
i expect it's full of clutch dust and off road dirt lol
cheers
GM _________________ Isuzu Vehicross 3.2 V6 The Silver Bullet
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 15:29 Post subject: |
|
|
hummm looks like a new soliniod then (the motor on the starter is fine), well at least it's easy to get to on the 3.1
Thanks
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rangielover ****
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 276 Location: West wales
|
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:43 Post subject: |
|
|
if it whirs its NOT the solenoid, it is most likely the brushes/armature. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:15 Post subject: |
|
|
It spins up fine, just not moving onto the ring gear - the mk2 has a soliniod controlling the throw rather than a spring mounted gear on a shaft (can't remember the name of this off the top of my head - something like a helix drive??), the motor has plenty grunt when it actually engages with the ring gear - just it's not moving far enough over. Does this still sound like a motor problem?
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:25 Post subject: |
|
|
bendix was the word I was looking for _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
markymoan *******
Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 16267 Location: Naughty Step
|
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 13:35 Post subject: |
|
|
Is there any teeth missing on the flywheel starter ring _________________ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
markymoan *******
Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 16267 Location: Naughty Step
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 21:08 Post subject: |
|
|
I soooo hope not. It's a little tricky to see in there withough taking the gearbox off. Was hoping that there was a 'quick' fix _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 13:23 Post subject: |
|
|
I'm begining to think that it's the batteries.
If I take for a long run (say south wales), it will start fine in the morning. A couple of short runs and it will be a b@st@r@ to start. Appears to make no difference if the engine it hot or cold - more how much the batteries have had a chance to charge. Should also dig out the alternator tester I suppose.
Is it normal for the (increadably inaccurate) volt meter to show about 14 volts with the headlights and the heater on, or should it stay around 16v once the engine is running.
Could be realated - but occasionally when starting, the dash board lights stay illuminated till I blip the throttle, then all go out and stay out.
What do you all recon????
Thanks
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jonkem ******
Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 883 Location: Bedfordshire, UK
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 13:49 Post subject: |
|
|
Chris.....from personal experience of this bl**dy iritating problem, I solved it by changing the alternator & charge relay. The delay on charging light extinguishing, reasonably accurate & constant voltage readings and starter motor problem disapeared immediately! Bit expensive but it was like getting a new car
Before replacing the items I had worked through all the earth & positive connections as well as stripping & cleaning the starter. _________________ 1994 KZJ70 Cruiser (currently filling the garage and causing some head scratching)
1988 MKI 3.1td Hybrid Van (Ex Bobtail)
1991 SWB Fronty 2.8td Hybrid
2000 Astra Estate (work)
2006 VXR Astra
MK1 SR Nova |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 14:16 Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks jonkem, I've already done the starter, and it appears fine on an external 12v supply, so glad (??) to hear that someone else has had these problems and that there's a fix. Now to find that starter relay
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dxmedia *******
Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 4677 Location: Hope Valley
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 18:07 Post subject: |
|
|
Just had the batteries tested at the local ATS, although they had a *beep* digital battery meter to test rather than a drop tester, so one battery came out at 80% and the other 85%, but no way of testing under load conditions. Looks like a phone call round the local 'old school' garages tomorrow to see if I can borrow the use of a drop tester to test the batteries properly.
If they are ok, then charging circuit and then alternator
Oh, was it any of you guys who was in the ATS next to the medow hall retails park in the white trooper getting your caravan tyres swapped?
Chris. _________________ For great insurance deals on 4x4s, imports and more, contact Adrian Flux :
01553 845 945 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|