Didn't see this one coming but went to start engine and nothing. took the engine cover off so i could check a few things, gave it a go and the solenoid clicked, but no motor turning. went to undo the main power connector ( battery disconnected first of course!) the nut was rusted solid and it sheared off the whole stud and mounting!
so on closer inspection it looked like this:
What i managed to do as a temporary measure was to flatten down some copper brake pipe and sandwich it down between the starter and the broken off piece, ratcheting it down with some tie-cords. I also wrapped the outside in lots of insulating tape *just in case.
*so if it worked it's way loose again, it hopefully wouldn't short out on the nearest piece of metalwork thereby likely frying the battery and probably causing untold electric fire damage.
Got back home and went to fit a 'spare' (borrowed from my project camper) for the time being and noticed some cracks along the same lines as the failed one I had:
probably not that clear in the pic, but they're there. surely this is a design flaw? or maybe the wire doesn't get enough support elsewhere between the battery and the starter. Definitely worth a check to avoid getting caught short (no pun intented )
Are solenoid parts available seperately does anyone know? as all new/exchange units are >£100
Regards,
Brent