starter motor issues

[Plasticman]

I have a G reg Auto homes (petrol) with a starter issue,

Turn the key all lights come on as they should but starter doesnt engage, I can hear a relay click on ign on.. then as I turn to start another sounds from the vicinity of the fuse box, 

Next with fully charged battery i put lights onto main beam and repeat.. same result but lights dim to near zero on crank attempt.

Repeat same with trigger wire of the solenoid and hooked to a multimeter, result zero volts with or without headlights on.

Next 12v feed direct to solenoid and engine cranks like a good one. Oh and it starts fine.

Looking for some pointers and suggestions before delving into it

mm

[Smiffo]

Might be the bush if it is a manual. ( From memory autos don’t have them )
There is a little brass bush that the starter shaft uses when the starter extends and engages.

Mine was worn a few years ago and starting was slow and laboured.

[Robsey]

Might be the bush if it is a manual. ( From memory autos don’t have them )
There is a little brass bush that the starter shaft uses when the starter extends and engages.

Mine was worn a few years ago and starting was slow and laboured.

If the bush is worn, then the end of the starter pinion may get jammed.

But you will have two relay clicks.

Turn key to run position, and any ignition live relays will energise.

Turn key to start position, and the X relay clicks killing power to the fans and headlamps.
So your lights should go off during cranking.
It's purpose is to divert as much battery power as possible to the starter.

If the starter clicks, or does nothing, it could be the bush, or a poor electrical connection at the starter itself.

The earth braid to the body, or the terminals for the red battery feed, or the red and black cranking wire to the solenoid.

[Robsey]

I suppose you could consider a burnt contact in the ignition switch, if no voltage is being sent down the starter wire.

[Plasticman]

Ah never thought about the x relay killing the lights etc.nothing wrong with the starter as I remove the live feed to energise the starter and energise it with a 12v feed and it activates perfectly so I figure a fault with the wire from fuse box back so will get a meter onn and trace it.
Thanks all
mm

[Plasticman]

What colour cable is the start from the ign sw ?
mm

[Robsey]

If you are careful, you could look at the ignition switch socket.

Unplug the switch, and short together the terminals in the socket for the fat red wire, and the red/black wire.

Use something substantial to bridge the contacts such as needle nose pliers, and don't touch anything else metal in the vacinity.

If it is a fusebox issue then it should still not crank.

I suspect it will crank, pointing towards a burnt contact in the switch itself.

[Robsey]

Red with black stripe.
Terminal 50 of the switch.
There is a fat one for the starter solenoid
4mm cable
And a thin one to the 7 pin plug in the engine bay.
1mm cable


The fat red is obviously battery live (no fuse) labelled Terminal 30.
4mm cable