Fan/Alternator belt gone?

dudenstumpy

"sounds like the starter motor solenoid."


I don't think so. If the solenoid was faulty, then nothing would be getting sent to the starter motor, the OP says he/she could hear the starter trying to work.


I'm fairly confident that the sign of a faulty solenoid is either no noise at all or just a click ( when trying the ignition )

Doooford

Well, I left work yesterday afternoon ready to have to give the car a push start with a colleague, and it started first time! This morning though, it didn't engage first time, but on the second attempt it did.
So I guess it needs reconditioning. Does anyone know how to do this? I was an aircraft technician in my past so should be able to do this if I had instructions and parts.
Thank you for all of your advice, it's amazing what nuggets of information this community has :beer:

hartcjhart

it would probably work out cheaper to find an auto electrical shop locally and get them to do it,by the time you source the parts/time/etc

google 'starter mortor rewinds' for your local area, if you are near 'Thanet' I have a number for one

goldspanners

dudenstumpy wrote: »

"sounds like the starter motor solenoid."


I don't think so. If the solenoid was faulty, then nothing would be getting sent to the starter motor, the OP says he/she could hear the starter trying to work.


I'm fairly confident that the sign of a faulty solenoid is either no noise at all or just a click ( when trying the ignition )

the op says they hear the starter motor turning, this would imply the actual motor is ok and turning ok ,but the solenoid isnt coming in engaging the toothed gear on the end of the starter motor with the ring gear.

the click you mention means the solenoid is working ok but the motor is stuck.

anyway, i see im one of the few who's advise isn't required here.

LandyAndy

goldspanners wrote: »

the op says they hear the starter motor turning, this would imply the actual motor is ok and turning ok ,but the solenoid isnt coming in engaging the toothed gear on the end of the starter motor with the ring gear.

the click you mention means the solenoid is working ok but the motor is stuck.

anyway, i see im one of the few who's advise isn't required here.

;);)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Heliflyguy wrote: »

You need to get the starter motor checked, I dont know if its still common practice to give the starter motor a couple gentle(ish) taps with a hammer to cure the problem short term when it doesnt engage.
In the end you will need a new one or better still a reconditioned one, you will need to remove yours to exchange for the reconditioned unit or maybe one from a breakers, they are not difficult to fit so the cost for labour should be as low as an hours charge, mind you its a french car so maybe not an easy job

have fun looking for a brand new one/ all old to relevantly new cars alternators and starter motors are all recons even at main dealers/motor factors. auto lekys can recondition them to a certain extent.

thus buying one from a motor factor youll be charged a surcharge on top of the price for the one your going to buy then when removeing your old starter/alt' you take it back to motor factors in the box your replacement came in to get the surcharge back, your old one will then be sent to the motor factors supplier to be recon'd and put back onto stock for re-supply. good way of recycling i think.

just thought i would detail this a little as heliflyguy is right in a way but bear in mind the surcharge will be added on purchase and refunded when returning the "old core" and warranty is longer on them 12 months i think as supposed to none in scrappy and 30 day or 3 month with auto leky.

the reason behind the surcharge with motor factors/dealers is that most or all alternator and starter motor suppliers charge them the surcharge also on their orders so returning the "old core" (as theyre known in the trade) enables them to claim back the sucharge charged to them keeping costs down,helps recycle old parts.

Doooford

Well, first off, I have no idea what is wrong. But the car starts almost flawlessly every time, although there is the one odd occassion where the starter motor just spins away without engaging. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse, but looking at the previous posts, it may well be a dodgy solenoid. I'm going to leave it at the moment as it is not too much of a problem.
Anyone want to take a guess on how long it will go on for?

I'm betting (and hoping) on 6 months :rotfl:

motorguy

Doooford wrote: »

Well, first off, I have no idea what is wrong. But the car starts almost flawlessly every time, although there is the one odd occassion where the starter motor just spins away without engaging. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse, but looking at the previous posts, it may well be a dodgy solenoid. I'm going to leave it at the moment as it is not too much of a problem.
Anyone want to take a guess on how long it will go on for?

I'm betting (and hoping) on 6 months :rotfl:

I would say its a starter motor problem. If its a high pitched electrical 'wirr' or 'rasp' then i would suspect the starter isnt engaging.

Try putting the car in first gear, letting the handbrake off and rocking the car forward several feet. It may take the effort of a couple of people (and make sure you're on the flat!!)

If the car then starts with the key normally, then its because the starter motor has engaged.

Also, if it is that, then you're most likely damaging the teeth on the edge of the flywheel and / or teeth in the starter motor, so i'd fix it now!