starter motor short / non start ** HELP **

[jim potter]

ok.

so i've had a few issue which have stemmed from a loose earth terminal on the battery.

I have fixed the ecu. so that's all good, but whats happens is that if you try to start it via the key, then i get the clunk of death.
I replaced the starter as a precaution but still get the clunk of death.

if i bump start it its fine . ( in fact i went on a 120 mile round trip )

i've checked and remade all the connections to the starter. but no help .
the problem seems to be that the starter body becomes live during cranking .

the only thing i have left to check is the cables from the starter back into the front of the van.
has anyone ever had a short on these ? does anything fuse box end affect it ?
i pulled the relays and it seems the one that control the wiper motor and fan also serves the starter circuit ?

should i be checking anything else ????

[tonytech]

Engine type?
Did you replace the bearing in the bell housing? Assuming it isnt an Autobox)
The starter body is fixed firmly to the engine/gearbox and that should be connected to the chassis through copper straps.
Have you cleaned these up?
The starter motor takes a large current and any dirt or poor connections will stop it working properly.
The only relay affected by the starting circuit is the X relay, this disconnects headlights, fan, and wipers while the starter is cranking.
It doesnt control the starter.
T

[bigherb]

You have already posted the same question last Sunday

[marlinowner]

If the starter body appears to be live when energised, that would imply a lack of earth. Try putting a jump lead between starter motor case (or engine block) and chassis to see if that improves things.

[jim potter]

done that marlin and no improvement.
i will be stripping the wiring from rear to front of the van.
it must be an issue there as everything else checks out .

[CovKid]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ain_cables" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ghost123uk]

If the starter body appears to be live when energised, that would imply a lack of earth. Try putting a jump lead between starter motor case (or engine block) and chassis to see if that improves things.

done that marlin and no improvement

You must have done it wrong then. If the starter is firmly bolted on, and you have a decent earth from the engine to the chassis, it is impossible for the starter body to have voltage on it.

[tonytech]

So, using my psychic screwdriver...
Is this an petrol agg conversion?
Have you had it running/turning over?
Does the starter motor engage properly with the flywheel ringgear?
Have you double checked the earth straps to engine and gearbox?

T

[jim potter]

So, using my psychic screwdriver...


Is this an petrol agg conversion?
yes 2.0 ady

Have you had it running/turning over?
yes, been running for over 10000 miles, until i had a flat battery and after charging it, drove it around with the earth connection on the battery very loose. it then blew 2 tracks in the ecu, which i fixed . but starter will not engage. if i bump start it , its fine and runs until you turn it off

Does the starter motor engage properly with the flywheel ringgear?
it did, haven't got the time or room at the moment to do anything other than basic stuff , after being shafted by a builder . but will hopefully be able to check weekend of 10/11 oct

Have you double checked the earth straps to engine and gearbox?
yes, yes , yes . infact , i've even made new earths , as i know the gearbox to chassis one is barley adequate .i've also run new engine to chassis earths .



Ghost 123.

yes i'm aware it should nt be possible , but my multi meter says other wise . get around 4v when cranking through the body. i'm adamant it must be an earth issue,
but if so why would it not occur until after id left the earth on the battery very loose.

time allowing this week i will remove the gearbox nose mount and clean up anything i find. ill also remake the battery earth to the body .

[ghost123uk]

Ah, just 4 Volts, that is voltage drop between engine and chassis caused by inadequate earthing for sure. If you have now cleaned up the earths I bet it's down to less than 1/2 a Volt.

Just a thought, can you give a bit more info on what you mean by a "clunk of death".

[jim potter]

HI ghost. Yes clunk of death. Essentially it goes to engage but doesn't turn . You hear the solenoid move. But that's it. It's a brand new starter and this never happened until I left the earth lead loose on the battery.

I now have Wednesday off so will remove gearbox nose mount and clean up anything I find.

Jim.

[CovKid]

I think I mentioned some time back that even new starters develop faults. Build-quality by some companies is not always what it should be. Its quite possible for solenoid to work but the motor not, if a wire has become detached inside. This may prove useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKSeAAd3rk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Only two screws and a clip and end of starter can be removed for an inspection.