Starting problems

[edmundator]

'82 2L air-cooled

I keep having to call the AA out, because if I don't take my van out for a few days the battery doesn't seem to be able to start the van. It's a very new battery of the right size and decent quality. There is nothing drawing a significant charge from the battery when the ignition is off.

I had a chat with the AA man who came out yesterday and I suggested that maybe the starter motor is on its last legs and requiring too much current to get the engine going (it always turns very slowly and requires a few spins before the engine fires). He seemed to think this was a reasonable idea.

Can anyone think of anything I should check before going ahead and replacing the starter motor? - I'm a big fan of starting with cheap and easy before moving onto the more expensive items.

Thanks, Ed

[dbroada]

are your earth straps good and healthy? The water cooled has one going from the engine to the chassis underneath near an engine mount (if I remember correctly). Mine was so badly corroded it was reducing the current flow at the starter. Cleaning the area gave huge gains at no cost.

[Rozzo]

as above,,, check the earth strap from the gearbox underneath to the body(thoroughly clean both ends with a wire brush or emery paper, including where it bolts to),,, also check the connection to earth from the negative battery terminal and also the positive lead where it goes onto the starter solenoid.
if that doesn't cure it it could be the starter motor brushes (very common fault and easy/cheap to solve) or the starter solenoid. any good auto electricians will re-con the starter if you can't find a replacement.
good luck with it (mine was the same but a little cleaning sorted it)

[ghost123uk]

Check this post here ->
http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic ... highlight=

Lots of info there

Remember that owners of flat 4 V Dubs should NOT try and run the starter off the vehicle as they only have 1 bearing inside the starter, the other on is on the engine casing (where the spigot goes)

I reckon replacing the spigot bush if necessary, fitting a re-con starter, a new battery and making sure all the heavy cables are in good nick and well connected is worth it's weight in gold - mine was a lazy starter, but now it turns over as fast as a new BMW engine does

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The above is a C&P from one of my posts on this subject.
A worn out starter spigot bush is a common cause of lazy starting.
Despite what some say, they are a bit of a sod to get at !!
I used a combination of a thread tap and a screwdriver to get the old one out. They are dead cheap from GSF.

[Rozzo]

a very good point made in the last post which i forgot,,, the spigot bush chews itself up and can seriously impair starter performance. its only a brass bush and costs pennies to replace but causes big problems if its had it.

[edmundator]

Bushes, brushes, solenoid... are these parts all integral to the starter motor (i.e. if I buy a new starter are they all going to be replaced?).

Since I'm off to Iceland for a few months I'd rather be belt-and-braces and replace the whole starter motor than risk it working for a bit with some new parts then playing up again.

I'll check the earth straps and then go for the starter if that makes no difference.

[Rozzo]

the bush is a seperate part which you will not get with the starter.

[ghost123uk]

Wow edmundator - Off to Iceland in your T25

( Or do you mean you are off to stock up the freezer at the local branch of Iceland )

The solanoid and brushes are integral with the motor, the spigot bush is not.

I would treat yourself to a new starter motor if it is in doubt, I got my shiny new one for ~ £55 AND whilst the old one is out, change the bush.

I have a spare new one here, (ready soaked in oil as they have to be) that you can have FOC if you send me your address.