Starting Problem

[markhale10]

Hi,
My van has always been a very good starter, first turn of the key all year round.

Recently, occasionally I would just get a click and nothing. Now over the last week there is almost always just a click and after trying number of times it will start.

I have a new battery, have tonight cleaned all connections around the starter motor and they look solid too. The click is from the solenoid and it clicks each time so power is getting to it ok.

Yesterday I got stuck as it would not start at all so I did the old tap the starter with a hammer gently and it started first time.

I just wanted to ask advice before purchasing a new starter. Have I checked everything? Are there any other likely causes?

Van is 1987 1.9 petrol.

[MidLifeCrisis]

I have/had a similar problem and recently there seems to have been 2 or 3 other posts on here with the same issues.
i.e. solenoid seems to be activating correctly but starter sometimes does not turn, then other times it will .....

Tapping the starter/solenoid with a hammer is usually to 'encourage' a sticky solenoid to work so I don't see how that 'fix' would have worked for you - even though it did!!

Ultimately all the starter needs is a good thick positive cable, a good thick ground cable and a smaller cable to activate the solenoid - so it should be pretty simple .....

Are you sure that you have a good solid ground strap? (the stock one connect to the nose of the gearbox) Folks will often suggest that you add an additional ground strap direct from the starter mount bolt to a good solid bit of metal on the van - you might want to try this.

I'm still fighting mine .. and as it's intermittant it's a real challenge to figure it out ...

My next experiment is to replace the big thick positive cable from the battery to the starter (as that is all I have left to change out) .......

I'd certainly try to eliminate the cabling before replacing the starter (especially as it seems that it 'sometimes' works)

[ghost123uk]

The one that seems to fail most often is the very short link cable (and it's connections) that are between the solenoid and the actual starter motor. A tap with the hammer might have jarred a bad connection there. Often though, a tap with a hammer to get going means a new unit is required.

[markhale10]

Thanks for both of your comments. The short braided connection seemed ok visually but hard to tell. It's in an awkward position as I'm sure you know. I will try the check I read on the Wiki about putting a jump lead from chassis to starter bolt.

I'd hate to spend over £100 on a starter to find the same issue, though I am happy to pay this to resolve the problem. Starting the van is an important function after all

[markhale10]

I tried various combinations with a jump lead tonight without much luck. I took the starter motor out to check it over as it looks pretty old.

I took the nut off the braided wire between solenoid and starter and it was very corroded. When I bent it away it crumbled and fell off. Guess this was why it was getting worse and starting sometimes.
Is this finally a new starter or can this part be replaced?

[ghost123uk]

I cannot answer your question re parts availability but just popped in to remind you (in case you didn't already know) not to test the starter whilst it is off the van, as the shaft will only be supported at one end. Also, don't omit changing the other bearing, the one in the bellhousing. they only cost very little, but can be a "swearing" job to get out.
WIKI INFO

[markhale10]

An update for everyone, and thanks again to all who commented.

New starter motor installed (£71 + vat from local motor factors). Also new earth strap fitted between starter motor and chassis.

Starts like new again, fires up first time every time.