Thread: Starter motor failing?

FF

Are you sure it is not a battery issue. Cold weather is not the battery's friend and your location gets pretty cold (but that's only in summer . If the battery is good, it would seem the starter motor is on the way out. They can be reconditioned or you could try the wreckers for a second hand unit (only a limited guarantee there.)

Regards
Paul

Understood about batteries in cold weather but it wasn't as cold as it has been, and was about midday and sunny. More importantly, the behaviour was too consistent.

Brett,

It sounds too me like your starter motor, or it may be the solenoid on the starter motor if it has one,(small can sitting on top of the starter motor.
Not engaging the starter motor, ie throwing the pinion in an out.

You say it’s a know problem, if so ring around the local wreckers for a replacement, have you VIN details on hand, makes it easier for the wrecker guys.

Or just take it too an auto electrician, removing an replacing a starter motor is really pretty straight forward stuff first year apprentice stuff.

Do they have a soft pinion gear ??

Cheers Matt.


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Thanks Matt. I don't know anything about them. I can't see an obvious starter motor, but I certainly can't see a solenoid attached to another cylindrical object.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Thanks Matt. I don't know anything about them. I can't see an obvious starter motor, but I certainly can't see a solenoid attached to another cylindrical object.

An on that note, without being condescending, take it too a local Auto electrician Brett.

Cheers Matt.

It might be the bendix drive which has to move on a shaft to engage the flywheel. As Matt said it time for an auto elec to have a look. To be clear does the starter stop turning or does it turn but not engage the flywheel?

It could be the starter motor, but its more likely the battery. I feel that "cough and stop" is not usually a starter problem.
Its easy to eliminate if you have one of these jumper battery packs. Just connect the leads to the battery and see if the problem goes away.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

To be clear does the starter stop turning or does it turn but not engage the flywheel?

The only way I can answer that is to say that after the first cough there is no sound (at all), and the same for the second, then it starts ok on the 3rd try.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

The only way I can answer that is to say that after the first cough there is no sound (at all), and the same for the second, then it starts ok on the 3rd try.

If the “Cough” is what I think your hearing, it may be the pinion gear is worn an is not engaging with the flywheel ring gear,
By you turning the key multiple times you are engaging the pinion gear on the flywheel at a different position, till one point it engages an spins the flywheel, starting the engine.

See an auto sparkie, you have more important things too worry about, kitchen knives [emoji849][emoji849].

Don’t play with cars you get dirt under your finger nails, ask me how I know that.

Cheers Matt.

Pretty much what Matt said, sounds like a dying starter to me.

Should take an auto elec minutes to diagnose and depending on position of starter, roughly an hr or 2 to replace.

Just testing the auto-censorship of the site:
If I hit a tennis shot very poorly then it is a known as a mishit ...like, you know miss–hit not MyShit.

Edit: Eh?

Originally Posted by Simplicity

If the “Cough” is what I think your hearing, it may be the pinion gear is worn an is not engaging with the flywheel ring gear,
By you turning the key multiple times you are engaging the pinion gear on the flywheel at a different position, till one point it engages an spins the flywheel, starting the engine.

Now THET, as the Kiwis say, would explain why it is the same routine three times in a row. Once...no, twice...not yet....thrice, yup, got it in pozzie now, and off we go.

Being a little conservative with car problems I have not tried to start it since, because I am probably running out of successful starts, and don't want to have to get it towed to the AE. However, I'll have another crack tomorrow, and I'll bet it's the same 3x routine.

Originally Posted by DJ’s Timber

Should take an auto elec minutes to diagnose and depending on position of starter, roughly an hr or 2 to replace.

I have ascertained that the starter is under the engine. According to this guy on YT it is quite a quick 'n' easy job, but not one that I will try myself - mechanical things just ain't my go. The biggest problem might be getting a replacement part. (I need a new rear door hinge, and the mechanic broke what appears to have been the last one in Australia)

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I have ascertained that the starter is under the engine. According to this guy on YT it is quite a quick 'n' easy job, but not one that I will try myself - mechanical things just ain't my go. The biggest problem might be getting a replacement part. (I need a new rear door hinge, and the mechanic broke what appears to have been the last one in Australia)

Glad to hear the starter motor is attached too the engine somewhere Brett,
Otherwise it would be back too Tafe for me, I’m sorry I couldn’t resist.

With regards the Door hinge take it too a Body shop, they will fit the door hinge Better, an yes I’m extremely Biased with that comment[emoji849].

Cheers Matt.