(Yet another) Starting fault topic

Post by **Jaypee** » 02 Nov 2005 11:54 pm

Heyall!

Well, I've pretty much fixed everything there has been wrong with my motor and now this accures.... Need a little help...

It has been working fine for the last few months, then it wouldn't start. There was this silent "kkrrrkkrssttksks" sound coming from the start motor and I figured it needs new (don't know if this is the correct term) coals. So, coals renewed, problem solved..

worked fine for a few months but this evening when I was ready to leave for work, I turned the key and all power went off!! I thought WTF?! That happened a few times trying to start it, and then the power no longer dissapeared - but the car wouldn't start. No sound no nothing!?
Checked the battery - OK.
Checked all connections from the distributor - no help.
Checked fuses - all working.
Checked the connections in the ignition switch - all working / no help.
Checked the other end of the coil lead - ok / no help.

Time was running short, so I pushed it on and went to work....

WTF is wrong?

Post by **shimon340** » 03 Nov 2005 12:22 am

check the leads to the starter motor, battery and the earth strap from the battery to the engine.....also check the altenator leads

hope this helps

shimon

Post by **Jaypee** » 03 Nov 2005 12:48 am

A bit embarassed to ask but where exactly is the starter motor located? (340 DL)

Post by **5lab** » 03 Nov 2005 01:03 am

down below the air filter, slightly nearer the windscreen

do you hear a click noise when you turn the key?

Post by **Jaypee** » 03 Nov 2005 01:18 am

Yeah, there's a small "click" sometimes, but I think it comes from somewhere inside the dashboard, like a relay..

Post by **Jaypee** » 03 Nov 2005 02:13 am

Okay, after reading several old topics I put the car in 4th gear and rocked it a bit, then it started.. does this mean my starter motor is gone to s**t or what? If this is the case does anyone know if it's fixable?

Post by **pettaw** » 03 Nov 2005 02:41 am

Yep, it sounds to me like you had a jammed starter. Once they start jamming, they'll just steadliy continue to get worse, particularly as generally they come to rest in the same place after starting.

I'd get yourself another one.

Post by **Jaypee** » 03 Nov 2005 03:15 am

Is there a bearing or something that makes this happen? or is the body worn so badly? If anyone has ever checked this problem out, let me know, I think I'll tear it apart and see what can be done just cuz I'm curious.. There are SM's for 80euros here so I might as well buy me a spare one if my fixing doesn't work out..

Post by **5lab** » 03 Nov 2005 08:46 am

its either jammed, or its a dodgy connection, if jammed, tw*tting it with a hammer will help every time it doesnt work.. but it will need replacing eventually

Post by **special** » 03 Nov 2005 06:23 pm

umm my first job when i left school was stripping down and repairing starter motors and alternators ....although its 9years scince i looked at one lol
the bushes tend to were out .....alternativly it could well be rusty inners .....in the long run its better to just get another unit from somwere rather than try to overhaul it

its either jammed, or its a dodgy connection, if jammed, tw*tting it with a hammer will help every time it doesnt work.. but it will need replacing eventually

funny ....thats how i removed my waterpump......with a bl**dy big hammer

Post by **Jaypee** » 04 Nov 2005 11:48 pm

Ok, got my SM working..

Solution:

Don't know if this is the factory setup but in my car the minus cable from the battery runs directly to the end of the starter motor and from there is a link to the body of the motor [(there are two holes on the carb side of the motor) B14 that is]. The reason the thing wouldn't start was that the link between the SM and the motor was disconnected due to the bolt holding the link to the motor had busted the threads from the motor. So I made a new link to the other hole and connected the two properly and voilá - starting like never before. So you were right, bad earth in my case...

Hope this helps someone with the same problem.

Post by **petefarrell360** » 05 Nov 2005 01:07 am

Glad all is sorted, Shimon hit the nail on the head there. I should have made the connection on this one and read it properly earlier! When I had a F**T, 1994 model, one day out of the blue I got clicks, nothing else, gave the whole thing a shake about, easily done, small cars! And away again, then same thing happened again, the earth cable was at fault. So just replaced that and found a better mounting.
Pete