magic_tree 0 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Hello All,Right, how common is it for the starter motor to go? My VR was starting fine, no problems. Then parked it in Car Phone Wharehose car park, went in and had to speak to a phone geek, and when I came out, no vroom vroom. At first I thought the immobilizer was playing up, but the central lockng was working and the ignition was activating. I couldn't hear the starter, but it was noisy in the car park and I had a ten year old who had just spotted the McDonalds in my other ear. I was starting to suspect the starter so gave it a friendly nudge but no joy. In the end I had to call the RAC and he seemed to agree the starter motor was the problem. He said he could hear the solonoid but the motor wasnt turning. He bump started me and went to on his way. Am I right in thinking that the immobilizer must be ok or the engine wouldn't run at all.? It just seems strange that that one min it was ok and next it is dead!! Any ideas or tips before I buy another starter and get stuck in please? Link to post Share on other sites
cabrioman 6 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 have u tried to hit the starter to see if its stuck ??? dont always belive the rac or aa monkeys they are jsut tow kings lol Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Yes, tried giving it a gentle clobber with the trolley jack handle. Might get the lump hammer out and try that, dont want to hit it too hard though. Link to post Share on other sites
cabrioman 6 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 well if its fu**ed then it dont matter if u can get it off put it in a vice adn use jump leads to see if it works or not be care they dont half jump around lol Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Rich 3 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Check the ground strap between the solenoid and the motor as that is common to corrode! Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 OK Rich, I will check that out. It Thanks for the tip. Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Rich 3 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Happened on mine, easy repair if it is. Link to post Share on other sites
kalv 0 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Mine died not so long ago - got a re-conditioned one fitted for £50.. done in 30min.. couldn't be bothered with checking the old one... Link to post Share on other sites
Seademon 0 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 I had the same prob - turned out to be the braided wire from the starter to the solenoid had almost broke in half, drove to the post office fine, come back out & nothing - fitted a 2nd hand one £20 Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Rich 3 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Yeah thats the ground strap I was talking about. Link to post Share on other sites
crish72 0 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Mine just died one morning after no signs of been on it's way out but once i'd fitted a new one i soon realised how long my old one took to start the engine.I too got a 2nd hand one, cost £35.Chris Link to post Share on other sites
clarkie 1 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 happened to me aswell all it was on mine was the mail big wire was loose. maybe worth checkin?? Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Righto, thanks very much. Sounds like it may not be so bad!! I will jack her up at the weekend and see whats what. I will let you know how it goes. By the way, where have you guys been getting the refirbs from? I was looking at 88 quid for a Basch, scrappies near me dont have any. Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 i mean Bosch. not Basch!! Link to post Share on other sites
kalv 0 Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 My 'AA' man recommended a local garage that specialises in reconditioned alternators... or try yell.co.uk ?? Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 I like you all very much!! Thanks, I have not had time to get under it but just had a peer and fiddle under the bonnet. Found the link, it goes from a threaded post on the solenoid to a flat tab at the back of the motor. It was covered by heavy heat shrink but I gave it a wiggle and sure enough it is kapputt (German Car) in side and has gone all fluffy. I am going to find some alternator braid or other suitable stuff and have a go at fixing it on Saturday/ Thanks again, 99% sure you have diagnosed the problem!! Link to post Share on other sites
magic_tree 0 Posted March 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 Vroom Vroom again!! Just thought I would let you know I fixed my starter motor today. I am still going to get a replacement though. The braid has a crip in the centre, it had come out on one side of it. I cleaned up the coroded braid, drilled out the inside of the crimp a bit. Then I got two pairs of mole grips clamped on either side of the join to sink the heat rather than it going back to the motor. Blow torch and solder, back on the motor and happy days!Anyway, not sure how long it will last, hopefully until I get a replacement on standby. Thanks agaion for the tip. Link to post Share on other sites
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