Is My Starter Motor Knackered

[mowflow 67]

While trying to cure my many running issues I've managed to first render the car unable to run at all and now it won't even turn over. Pretty sure it's an electrical problem causing the running and starting as noticed the Rev counter isn't bouncing on turn over.

 

Anyway, latest issue. While trying to get it to start the starter sounded sluggish despite the car being on a trickle charger. Suddenly I got this slow horrible grinding noise and a quiet sort of high pitched noise. The car then wouldn't turn over at all but I got the relay (or is it the solenoid) click. While doing something else I turned the engine via the crank bolt and there was a horrible grinding from the flywheel end which after maybe half a turn stopped and the crank felt easier to turn.

 

I later tried starting on the key again and got the grind and high pitched noise. Cranking by hand it was grindy for half a turn again before feeling normal. It now does nothing when the key is turned. No click, no cranking over. Pump still runs but that's it.

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

That's does sound like the solenoid has failed leaving the starter engaged in the flywheel. Turning it over on the crank is letting the starter motor pinion to return.

It's not particularly difficult to change the starter motor yourself, is yours still fitted with a huge starter motor? Or a more slimline one?

 

Mike

[mowflow 67]

I replaced it with a slimline one from a 206. I've still got the old fat one on a shelf. It was fine when I took it off so I'll probably just stick it back in for the moment. Cheers.