The saga of the starter motor 1.6 td

[behai]

Right all done! The starter motor has had a overhaul and has been tested to work. Had my fingers crossed-put it in. It whirled when I connected the battery lead GOOD I thought, turned the key and NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right what next?????? All checks done on battery what else do I need to check? Trying to learn from this van instead of taking the easy option of a garage but that garage is starting to call! Once again I'm totally new to engines and mechanics.

[ringo]

Check the condition of the big wire that goes from the battery to the starter. Its common for this to break where the lug connects to the starter motor.

Did you connect the small wire to the male spade connector?

Is the battery charged?

Ringo

[behai]

Yes the wire is connected to the spade connector and the big wire seems to be fine, the battery when the headlights are on stay bright and when the key is turned in the ignition the lights go dim which apparently means the starter is receiving power, but nothing at all.. on the starter motor there are two conncetors where the smaller wire goes?????

[mahatmacoat]

The two connections on your starter motor are:

1. Big pole with thick wire leading to batery. This is the bit that provides the juice, check that the connection is as clean as it can be and give the wire a bit of a wriggle at both ends to ensure that the crimped ends are secure. I recently opened the crimped end up on the starter motor end and cleaned it all up with emery paper as it was so corroded. Don't over tighten the pole - they're oftern copper which is soft metal!

2. Small spade connector from ignition. This has a 12v feed from your ignition switch when you crank it i.e. the momentarty position on your ignition. This switches the 12v supply from the big wire to the windings of the starter motor.

If your starter motor has a lump on the side with these wires, this is the solenoid (a magnet that moves things). It switches the supply from the main lead to the motor & throws the starter motor pinion gear (about 18 teeth) into engagement with the starter ring gear (about 90+ teeth) on the outside of the flywheel.

I'd check your battery voltage - should be 12.4V. Anything less & you should recharge it. If that's okay, check all your electrical connections are clean - both positive leads & then the earth strap from the nose of the gearbox to body (clean both ends & give strap a wiggle as they can fall apart but still look okay), finally check earth lead from battery to body & clean it's connections.

If still no joy, it could be the solenoid sticking - though less likely if it's been rebuilt. Get someone to key the ignition & give the solenoid body a sharp tap with the handle of a hammer (avoid hitting the connections as they'll snap off very easily). If that works you need to just take the solenoid off & clean it up (not a difficult job).

Let us know how you get on - a starter motor is a good place to start your spanner wielding career. Just remember that with the pole, it's all 12v live even if the ignitions off!!