Do I Need A New Starter?

[scottish_lion 0]

Should be an easy one.

 

My starter jams sometimes, but other times it spins freely. Both mean it doesn't start. I'm told it's the pins jamming, either engaged or disengaged.

 

Will a new motor cure this problem?

 

Thanks, Leo

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Invariably yes but it needn't be a new starter, a good second hand one from a 306 or similar with the smaller body is much better than the big old things fitted to 205 GTI's from new.

 

It might be worth checking the wire to the starter solenoid from the brown multiplug though because this can become high resistance & cause intermittent starter operation. If you get a later 306 small bodied starter though you'll have to swap from a spade connector to a ring terminal on the end of the solenoid wire which is better anyway.

 

Graham.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Its the thick blue wire that goes into the brown multi plug that you need to look at.

[ablister 31]

if starter spins but engine doesn't then could be worn teeth on flywheel ring gear

[harley 0]

Sorry to dig this thread up, been reading and reading and can't seem to find any other threads covering the problem I've got with my starter!

 

if starter spins but engine doesn't then could be worn teeth on flywheel ring gear

 

My starter was working perfectly up until this evening when all of a sudden it has stopped turning the engine over.

It still spins on the key and sounds like it's carrying a lot of power but it doesn't seem to be engaging with the engine whatsoever!

 

Any ideas on where I should begin? need old girl for work so the sooner I get this sorted the better!

 

Thanks, Harley

[welshpug 1,657]

I would check that the bolts are present and tight firstly, similarly check the gearbox bolts, further than that if it actually does spin then I'd think there is an internal fault in the mechanism that throws the pinion out to engage with the flywheel ring gear.

[harley 0]

I had a bit of a play a couple of hours ago but wasn't too easy holding the torch in my mouth! Also looks like the previous owner has replaced the original big starter with a smaller one and ring connector.

 

If I can't find any loose bolts, any suggestions on where to go from there? Money is really tight at the moment so obviously looking to keep things budget if I can!

[eldoro 0]

Ofcours a new motor would fix it but you can allways just repair the starter.

 

30th post!

 

sorry...........

[harley 0]

Ofcours a new motor would fix it but you can allways just repair the starter.

 

30th post!

 

sorry...........

 

I'm not far off mine either!

 

Do you mean repair it myself? or is that going to be a specialist job?

[Baz 421]

Specialist job really, dependig on your mechanical nouse!

 

Uneconomical though, considering the low cost of a good second hand replacement.

[lagonda 42]

If you're reasonably handy mechanically, get the starter off, dismantle it & see if there's anything obviously worn, or that can be repaired/cleaned. Getting the starter off is the worst part, taking it apart is easy. There is a mechanism for throwing the starter gear into mesh with the flywheel, which operates with the starter solenoid. As the starter is spinning over, it sounds like the electrical side of the solenoid is fine.

[harley 0]

right, well after lots of pain and frustration I have managed to free the starter from the car!

 

It think it must have been replaced in the past because it seems cleaner than the rest of the bay and it also has the ring connector instead of spade.

 

could anybody identify it? Incase i have to replace it I'd rather not look like an idiot in the local motor factors!

 

 

[harley 0]

[harley 0]

So I opened the starter up and the cogs are surrounded with a mushy, greasy plastic mess. I'm assuming this is what used to drive the mechanism that pushes the pinion into the flywheel?

 

 

 

 

 

At lease I now know that I'm going to need a recon starter!

 

Anybody able to identify the starter??

[harryskid 193]

If it was the fly wheel dont they usually jam the starter.?

Harryskid

[harley 0]

the fly wheel on the block? that is intact if that's what you mean?

[lagonda 42]

Hope that's your finger in the last photo!

 

Never seen that mechanism in a starter before.....and a plastic gear? Looks like your starter was made August 2008, surprised it's lasted that long. Daresay the same firm makes chocolate exhaust manifolds and wooden crankshafts.

 

Frankly I think you need to make sure you avoid buying one of those....can't see a make name on there (should we be surprised). Just tell motor factor you want a starter for your particular car & try & make sure you get a Bosch one, won't go far wrong with that.

[harley 0]

Ended up getting a brand new Global one to fit a 306 diesel.

 

£65 for a brand new one including the tax so I'm happy.