205 Rallye (Tu24) Starter Motor

[205Rallee 59]

After a track event today my TU24's starter motor doesn't seem to work anymore. During the day it seemed to struggle more and more to crank the engine, a bit like if the battery was flat, which it wasn't. At the end of the day, on turning the key nothing would happen, no click of the solenoid, just silence. Although it's difficult to see the starter motor under the twin 40's, it does seem that all the wiring is still there and connected. Even tried the old Mini trick of giving the starter a few gentle taps with a hammer - that didn't work:(

 

Bump starting the car, it starts quickly and runs fine, so there's no battery or charging issues. Does it sound like the starter is dead, or is it just the solenoid and can they be replaced separately?

[RallyeP6 0]

After a track event today my TU24's starter motor doesn't seem to work anymore. During the day it seemed to struggle more and more to crank the engine, a bit like if the battery was flat, which it wasn't. At the end of the day, on turning the key nothing would happen, no click of the solenoid, just silence. Although it's difficult to see the starter motor under the twin 40's, it does seem that all the wiring is still there and connected. Even tried the old Mini trick of giving the starter a few gentle taps with a hammer - that didn't work:(

 

Bump starting the car, it starts quickly and runs fine, so there's no battery or charging issues. Does it sound like the starter is dead, or is it just the solenoid and can they be replaced separately?

 

Hi 205Rallee, if you feel brave you can take a small wire directly from the battery positive and put it on the starter solenoid. It would be easier with two people, one holds it on the solenoid and the other touches it on the battery, unless you have a small croc clip.

This will eliminate any wiring issues.

Oh one more thing MAKE SURE ITS NOT IN GEAR.

Rouben.

[Br00dal 0]

I had the same problem, found out that the solenoid part had slowly vibrated loose and the gubbins had fallen out. Hate to say it but it is easier and cheaper just to go to a scrappy and buy a second hand one for £15 I think it was.

[205Rallee 59]

I had the same problem, found out that the solenoid part had slowly vibrated loose and the gubbins had fallen out. Hate to say it but it is easier and cheaper just to go to a scrappy and buy a second hand one for £15 I think it was.

 

Cheers guys, was passing Eurocarparts so £59 later I had a Lucas box with a new starter motor in it. But when I got home and took it out of the box, what did I have? You guessed it, a new box conataining someone else's exchange unit which looked very very old. Took it back next morning, they didn't have another in stock but would get me one for the next day and deliver it to my house. When I got home the same day it had been delivered, so pretty good service in the end. Now I just have to stick the kids in front of F1 2011 on the xbox and that'll give me an hour or so fighting under the twin 40's to remove the old starter:). Hope it's not the wiring..................

[Wallby 47]

Are you sure its not the battery? A similar thing happened to me last winter where the car wouldn't start. It turned out to be the battery, which after being charged up was showing 14V, but when cranking it went right down!

[christopher 5 1 Cars]

Are you sure its not the battery? A similar thing happened to me last winter where the car wouldn't start. It turned out to be the battery, which after being charged up was showing 14V, but when cranking it went right down!

This Can be many things. I would check the power of the battery first. Then as suggested run power to the solenoid to rule out a wiring issue.

 

It can also be the ignition switch that is worn. My 205 rallye has a fairly small starter and it takes very little power to turn it anyway. I also have a starter from an ax sport that is even smaller. Maybe it is worth you getting one of these for a weightsaving.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

It may be easier to take the rad off to change the starter. It would give you an opportunity to flush the coolant and change the classic rusty metal pipe before it lets you down (assuming the Rallye has one on a TU engine)

[trogboy 17]

Starter on the TU lumps are on the back of the engine closest to the bulkhead so no need to remove either manifold. Access is very easy once the air inlet pipe and filter housing is removed.

[205Rallee 59]

Lights dimmed slightly when key turned for starter. Not very easy to access under twin 40's, on and off in an hour and how much faster does the new starter motor spin! Happy days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now i can drive it to the bodyshop to get it's dented wing fixed.

[205Rallee 59]

Lights dimmed slightly when key turned for starter. Not very easy to access under twin 40's, on and off in an hour and how much faster does the new starter motor spin! Happy days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now i can drive it to the bodyshop to get it's dented wing fixed.

 

PS I'm using an Oddessey 25 battery (e bay cheapy), which is mounted in the original position but on its side. It holds its charge brilliantly as I leave it parked up in a garage from October to March and it has never lost its charge.