19 replies to this topic

[minidan]

hi,
we are having some trouble with the starter motor . it wont turn, it only clicks once. if you can see the picture you can see the end of it poking out. is that normal? cheers

Attached Files

•  starter_motor.JPG   818.07K   24 downloads

[Udo]

Is it inertia or pre engaged starter motor?

The reason you can see the bendix (the spring) is that someone has trimmed the clutch cover (the "wok" as people call it) only usually racers do this I 'think' to save a little weight but on a road car it allows the bendix to get covered in road dirt etc and looking at yours it seems to have rusted up, might be worth checking to see the starter actually turns.

Also is your battery ok as if it is low on charge the solenoid will click but not have enough power to turn the motor over

[minidan]

Is it inertia or pre engaged starter motor?

The reason you can see the bendix (the spring) is that someone has trimmed the clutch cover (the "wok" as people call it) only usually racers do this I 'think' to save a little weight but on a road car it allows the bendix to get covered in road dirt etc and looking at yours it seems to have rusted up, might be worth checking to see the starter actually turns.

Also is your battery ok as if it is low on charge the solenoid will click but not have enough power to turn the motor over

yea its an inertia starter, so im guessing its just jammed.

[Retro_10s]

Cue: good releasing agent such as WD40 PlusGas

[Dan]

Not a great idea to spray any release agent at the clutch through that open hole though!

If the Bendix isn't jammed try checking the battery and engine earth cables. A click from the solenoid usually indicates an electrical problem rather than mechanical but that Bendix in the photo could be stuck, I can't decide if I can see it resting against the cushion spring or not.

[minidan]

ok removed the starter motor today and had a look, the starter isn't jammed at all. runs freely.
so i tried the ignition with the starter motor removed and i noticed the click isnt coming fromthe starter at all, but from the starter solenoid. duh!

anyway i had a poke around and also found the fan belt to be VERY loose. so i was think hmmm battery going flat? i tried the headlights and wipers etc and they worked perfectly . usually a dying bettery will stuggle to move the wipers over a dry screen ....

ive stuck the battery on charge and tightend up the fan belt.
fingers crossed that fixes it.

Edited by minidan, 18 March 2007 - 01:30 PM.

[minidan]

ok, the battery is in tip top condition so i know its not that.

the solenoid just clicks when i try the ignition. what could that mean? do solenoids simply break?
i always get stuck when the problems are electrical.


Its a Mini Minus just FYI. and all the earths look ok to me. i cant see any obvious wiring problems either.

we need to get this sorted pretty quick to be honest.

anyone with electrical knowledge please help !

[minidan]

how does one go about bypassing the solenoid in order to check the starter motor works and eliminate it.

[Dan]

Try reading what I put above again.

[minidan]

yea u say it might be electrical , and i also say that ive checked the earth straps.

am i missing something? lol

[Jordie]

Turn the ign so the dash lights up.

get a insulated screw driver (ie. plastic handle for ur hand)

short the screw driver across the 2 nut terminals on the top.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clicking is caused by bad earth or broken solenoid.
Common problem was the screws which hold it to inner wing rusting away or rust forming behind.
Try removing it, rub back to bare metal and refit with some fresh screws

[minidan]

Turn the ign so the dash lights up.

get a insulated screw driver (ie. plastic handle for ur hand)

short the screw driver across the 2 nut terminals on the top.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clicking is caused by bad earth or broken solenoid.
Common problem was the screws which hold it to inner wing rusting away or rust forming behind.
Try removing it, rub back to bare metal and refit with some fresh screws

already tried shorting across the two nut terminals with the ignition on , nothing happens.

the mini is a Minus as stated so the inner wing where the solenoid is fixed to is fibreglass. i have checked the earthing for it and it seems ok.


ps .if you short out the right hand nut terminal with the spade connecter facing the rear of the car, this bypasses the ignition switch - the solenoid clicks but no starter motor action.

i dunno how to bypass the solenoid completely

Edited by minidan, 18 March 2007 - 08:08 PM.

[Dan]

All I meant was that every single time I have seen the solenoid simply clicking it was because of a battery earth problem.

I assume there is an earth strap to the solenoid body as it's a fibreglass car. And if there wasn't it wouldn't even be clicking.

Fibreglass cars can be tricky with earth problems like this. Do you have an earth loom installed or is everything earth bonded back to the steel substructure?

The screwdriver shorting does completely bypass the starter solenoid. If it's clicking then it is pretty much working and the problem is with adequate supply to the motor. Are the throttle and choke cable outers all melted and gooey? When there is a poor engine earth the current uses these to return to the battery and they overheat.

If none of the above, could simply be a dodgy motor.

Edited by Dan, 18 March 2007 - 08:47 PM.

[minidan]

All I meant was that every single time I have seen the solenoid simply clicking it was because of a battery earth problem.

I assume there is an earth strap to the solenoid body as it's a fibreglass car. And if there wasn't it wouldn't even be clicking.

Fibreglass cars can be tricky with earth problems like this. Do you have an earth loom installed or is everything earth bonded back to the steel substructure?

The screwdriver shorting does completely bypass the starter solenoid. If it's clicking then it is pretty much working and the problem is with adequate supply to the motor. Are the throttle and choke cable outers all melted and gooey? When there is a poor engine earth the current uses these to return to the battery and they overheat.

If none of the above, could simply be a dodgy motor.

basically the battery earth strap is mega long and finishes on a thick metal plate on the engine bulkhead. the solenoid is also connected to this earth. the engine earth is also on this and all look fine. i havent actually removed and checked the end of the cable bolted to the engine itself but it looks good. i can check it.

to be honest i havent looked in detail at the throttle and choke cables but im pretty sure they are in fine condition. not melted

maybe it IS just a dodgy motor.

meh!

[Dan]

With that earth arangement and assuming the positive cable and none of those earth cables are corroded or chafed it pretty much has to be a dodgy motor I think.