Starter motor/electrics?

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

Post by ScienceBoy »

Hi there.
Did you ever solve? Our starter has just stopped. Happen a couple of time before but then worked after a rest/cool down. All times were after a longest drive.

Hear relay click in glove box. Solenoid clicking too. No movement in starter.
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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

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And starter was replaced last year. With all the other issues experienced from this “VW Specialist” in the New Forest I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a fitting/connection issue.


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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

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Solenoid is engaging
So let’s follow it through...

Continuity in trigger ok. Obviously because of above
Continuity to alternator ok
Starter body is earthed. Continuity checked ok.

But solenoid output nut connecting solenoid to motor via braid is continuous with starter body. Is that correct?
Would suggest that output from solenoid runs directly to earth. I guess that’s ok because I just tested a little electric motor I had.


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bigherb
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

Post by bigherb »

The solenoid is earthed via the starter motor brushes while it is pulling in, so it slowly turns the motor while engaging. The Most common problem is high resistance in the brushes not allowing the solenoid to pull in. Adding a starter relay often adds more punch to push past the resistance.
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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

Post by ScienceBoy »

Cheers BH. Further investigation showed it wasn’t the solenoid clicking it was something in the air inlet/carb area (choke?)

Anyway turns out my trigger wire is intermittent. Must be a break/corrosion somewhere. It looks poor and has Earth insulation tape around the sheath where it must have worn during motion.

Took off some and dug into the copper. Bridged there to solenoid and got one start out of ten. Figure the issue may be further back and it worked because I wiggled it rather than had a successful short.

I see the trigger wire disappears into a bigger loom about 6” behind the bulkhead.

I think I read the replacement is a bit convoluted?
Where does the trigger wire originate at the front? Direct from ignition switch or via fuse panel?


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bigherb
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

Post by bigherb »

ScienceBoy wrote: 26 Feb 2021, 17:42
Where does the trigger wire originate at the front? Direct from ignition switch or via fuse panel?


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It comes from the ignition switch to the fusebox Plug B terminal 8, then from the fusebox Plug D terminal 24 direct from the starter motor.
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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

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I was scratching my head and then realised you were talking a different fuse box layout. Mine’s like this.

Image

However I started at the beginning and have found the key switch Ain’t switching. Just that connection. Other contacts appear ok.

Time for a starter button?


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bigherb
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

Post by bigherb »

The plugs go into the rear of the fusebox.

 
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ScienceBoy
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Re: Starter motor/electrics?

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I see. So this is the back of that.

Image


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