Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, everytime i try & start my bus the starter motor really sounds like its struggling, ive checked all the terminals starter/battery all seems good.....
The battery came with the bus (i assume its the right size) & it holds it charge well, could it just be a duff starter ?
This is the battery fitted...

The battery is adequate, you can get more powerful ones with more cranking amps.
I would suspect poor contacts first, and have all of them cleaned till shiny.
This includes
Battery terminals
Chassis earth point
starter terminals
Gearbox to chassis earth strap, contact points.
Then I would be suspecting the starter armature support bush (bronze) that sits in the bell housing, (worn)
On the starter itself is a braided cable that rusts out.

With the amount of current involved, it is paramount that there are no bottlenecks

Just some pointers for you

Exactly as Kev says, plus you could fit a relay if you're not getting a strong enough pull on the solenoid contacts. I'd replace the starter bush which is just over £1 at GSF. Wear in that and you'll get those symptoms

Cool thanks for the advise....i best get poking about [THUMBS UP SIGN]

Bear in mind (and having been one I know) is that the only real work most mechanics get in the winter is duff batteries and starter motors. Battery may not be delivering enough. I think I'd be inclined to borrow another battery just to check its not lack of stamina. If its the same, pull the starter out and replace that bush. Do NOT test starter off the vehicle under any circumstances or you'll ruin it. Pic of the starter would help.

CovKid wrote:Battery may not be delivering enough. I think I'd be inclined to borrow another battery just to check its not lack of stamina.

I would do that first as well. But, take care you get the connections the right way around, some batteries have them opposite way to a T25 one and you really don't want to get your +ve and -ve the wrong way around !!!!

CovKid wrote:Do NOT test starter off the vehicle under any circumstances or you'll ruin it.

+1 on that.

Now that I have ruined my old starter (think it had it anyway) by running it off the van what is likely to have been damaged and can I replace easily?

chrisevans wrote:Now that I have ruined my old starter (think it had it anyway) by running it off the van what is likely to have been damaged and can I replace easily?

The armature will have rubbed hard against the outer field housing and one or both could have been damaged. imho, it is likely better to just use it as a part exchange unit for a new or reconditioned one.

Even with my booster battery charger it was still struggling, but hopefully i won't have trouble with the + & - if i do i need to change jobs, being a sparky and all that.

Pics of starter would really help here. Failing all of above, it could be worn brushes or a weak solenoid.

When it stops raining

So checked all the connections everywhere & all good....it didn't help that the booster function on my charger has packed up !! So charged the battery and it seems alot better, but after every 2-3 go's starting it up it then struggles as if the timing is out !! Ive got it set at about 5deg ATDC at about 850 rpm.
It has'nt got the idle stabilizing unit fitted its been bypassed, will this matter ?

vwaddict wrote:So checked all the connections everywhere & all good....it didn't help that the booster function on my charger has packed up !! So charged the battery and it seems alot better, but after every 2-3 go's starting it up it then struggles as if the timing is out !! Ive got it set at about 5deg ATDC at about 850 rpm.
It has'nt got the idle stabilizing unit fitted its been bypassed, will this matter ?

Well i think i found the problem under some insulation tape near the starter.....
This was half the size now it should be, it looks like it was damaged some how in the past & you can see how the copper has been overheating.....its now removed & repaired & now its a perfect start everytime....