Starter motor clicks over but doesn't turn the engine over

[ringo]

Hi, I posted a month or so ago and got some useful tips - mainly suggestions to try changing the bush.

Yesterday she gave up the ghost and won't start at all now, so today i took out the starter motor with new bush soaked in oil.

I must have overlooked the "petrol engines" only bit on the wiki - because mine is a deisel - and it's got a differrent starter motor with the bush integral to it.

When the starter motor is removed it turns over fine, when its fitted (with all connections cleaned, tight and an extra battery lead from the negative to the housing of the starter motor) the shaft clicks in but won't turn over.

Does this mean the starter motor is broken ?

I find it strange that it works out the car but not when its fitted. Is it possible that half the coils are damaged so cant produce enough power to turn the engine ?

The bolt that connects to the main positive of the battery was loose - but i couldn't see a way of tightening it.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Ringo

[dazzzer1]

(The bolt that connects to the main positive of the battery was loose - but i couldn't see a way of tightening it.)

id be checking connections if i were you, if the nut on the back of the sterter isnt tight enough then can you not put a washer on it to tighten it up?
daz

[lhd]

Could be a dodgy solenoid......
The solenoids are the same on all t3's even if different starter, I think............
someone will correct me if I am wrong sure as eggs are eggs..........
What do you maen by extra battery lead?
lhd................................

[ringo]

I can tighten up the main connection - it was just a bit loose and im not sure if thats just used for tightening the nut against the connector or it was actually part of the electrical circuit.

I also connected a jump lead from the negative terminal of the battery to the body of the starter motor to try and provide an extra known good earth.

Hmmm

[Andyvandy]

Had a similar problem some years ago on a volvo 240 I had at the time.

Always started fine. One day went to start it all it did was click. Took the starter off connected it to the battery and it turned fine. Back on the car it wouldn't turn.

Suspected battery, took the battery down to the local car accessory shop where the guy in the shop tested it and one of the cells gassed up! Stuffed battery. I fitted a new battery and all was fine!

It really is important to have good clean tight battery connections.

Andy

[Mariner Man]

Have you looked at the ignition switch. I had all the same problems, cleaned connections, changed starter etc. It turned out to be a dodgy ignition switch. Its the white connection on the rear of the key barrel (only accessible with steering wheel and ignition sleeve removed. However to quickly check it, pull the plug off the back and bridge the thick red wire connection, to the thick red and black wire connection with a piece of sleeved wire, if it turns over the starter, then its the switch, about £3.00ish. and takes about 10 minutes to change.

[ringo]

Well, its not the ignition switch.

I took out the starter motor but left the positive battery lead on it and rested it just off situ. I then connected the ground to the battery and made up a wire to simulate starting it. It turns over fine. Im quite happy the electrical connecctions are good.

I think im just going to bite the bullet and buy a new motor - if its not that then i'll try and get a refund.

I will let you know how i get on.

Thanks

Ringo