Really loud noise when starting

[Cherryboo]

Hi, any ideas? I had a low battery due to leaving some interior lights on, now when i start the van it turns over for a long time and makes a really bad metal on metal sound before eventually starting. When running, all is ok. Is it the starter motor?
Its a 1.6 non turbo diesel.
Cherryboo

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

sounds like it's the starting system if it's ok when running - how tight are the bolts that hold the starter motor on? I wonder if they might have worked loose.

Ewen

[BOXY]

Could be the bush on the end of the pinion shaft. If its worn or broken the pinion won't fully engage with the flywheel.

[andisnewsyncro]

At least it's starting now, what was the problem then

[Cherryboo]

At least it's starting now, what was the problem then

I think it was the combination of low battery and starter motor

[Cherryboo]

Hello,

sounds like it's the starting system if it's ok when running - how tight are the bolts that hold the starter motor on? I wonder if they might have worked loose.

Ewen

Yes bolts are really tight

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

that's good - just a thought I think BOXY's diagnosis is good - when it happened to me it was a more of a sort of grinding noise....

Good luck sorting it out

Ewen