Starter motor dead

Peter B

Peter B

Member
So the inerita starter on the 2000 TC died yesterday, luckily in the driveway rather than when I was taking car for a short test run. When it was working it would spin the motor but quickly disengage from the motor and just spin. Anyway now I can hear the solenoild on the wing click but nothing at all from the starter. Probably need to check there is power from solenoid to the starter.

The Haynes manual lists a few tests you can do on the car, checking earth connections etc but it looks like I'll have to get it off. (I did see someone, apologies I can't remember who, say that there shouldn't be anymore than about 1 ohm resistance between starter motor body and neg terminal on battery). The only problem with removing it is the front exhaust bracket bolts to the lower starter bolt but shouldn't be a huge problem. Tempted to just take it to the electrician for repair / testing but any other suggestions would be welcome. Are there any replacement starters available? I see a few possibilitites advertised but they seem to be mostly for the V8. And unpleasantly expensive.

Pete.....
 
[QUOTE=" Probably need to check there is power from solenoid to the starter.

The Haynes manual lists a few tests you can do on the car, checking earth connections etc but it looks like I'll have to get it off. (I did see someone, apologies I can't remember who, say that there shouldn't be anymore than about 1 ohm resistance between starter motor body and neg terminal on battery). The only problem with removing it is the front exhaust bracket bolts to the lower starter bolt but shouldn't be a huge problem. Tempted to just take it to the electrician for repair / testing but any other suggestions would be welcome. Are there any replacement starters available? I see a few possibilitites advertised but they seem to be mostly for the V8. And unpleasantly expensive.

Pete.....[/QUOTE]
The first thing to do is check the power to the motor. The second is to check that the engine earth strap is in place and that there is a good connection. I am assuming the warning lights don't dim when you operate the starter which suggests that the battery and its connections are good but the starter isn't drawing current, could be the brushes. If you have a good auto electrician in your area take it to them. When the starter on my 2200 failed Nacton Auto Electrics in Ipswich overhauled it the same day and charged £40, which I thought was a bargain.
 
Thanks Pete
I was sort of assuming that if the solenoid made a noise it meant it was working and power was getting to the starter but I will check that before I remove it. I'm pretty sure the battery is still good but will check that also. There is a pretty decent electrician in Penrith. just hoping the motor part of the starter hasn't karked it..brushes should be a pretty easy fix.
 
Most starters by Lucas have the same 'guts' it's just the mounting plate that's different. Mine has just sent a load of smoke out and is now toast. Mine is pre-engage type, but the same applies. Buy the Rover one it's £300, buy one for a Perkins engine in a tractor, it comes in at £80. Swap the end plate, winner. As suggested in the posts above, I would check all the wiring before pulling the motor. If you have a workshop manual, they usually give the reference number of the starter in there under the specs. You will be amazed the amount of info you can find by Googling that number. Removing mine tonight to see the extent of the bonfire within. Cheers, Rob
 
My Mini used to give grief every now and then, and aside from keeping the throw-out well lubed so it would move out to engage the ring gear smoothly, I did find the ring gear was actually moving away from the dog over time. It seems that the teeth sometimes don't mesh and that gives the ring gear a nudge off the seat, and as time progresses it gets to the point where it barely engaged on my car.

Some massaging with a buggering stick and various chunks of metal to allow access used to massage it back into place, until next time.
 
Must be starter motor week? Mate has just removed his starter from his '72 P6 2000 and found washers between the starter and the gearbox. Previous owner has obviously fitted the wrong motor and has had to space the gear back so it worked. His is a M418-25673A. solenoid on top. Has anyone got a 2000 with a pre-engage starter that the part number is readable on the motor without removing it? Doesn't want to get another one which is wrong by using the part number on his old one. Ours is a 25701A on the 2000SC, his is a TC. Any info would be very helpful to him. Cheers, Rob
 
Got both starters sorted. Had the same fault strangely. They had both got damaged wrapping to the field coils at the pinion end of the starter. Both were shorting to earth and burning the left over cotton wrap. This not only stopped them working but caused a minor bonfire at the same time. Took the coils out and re-wrapped them, re-fitted, set up the clearances and both starters works fine. Not sure why Pete's had washers in the gap? Fitted it without and works fine. Maybe the throw out on the solenoid was set wrong when we removed it, causing it to stay engaged? Strange things happen to these old cars over time. Out for a ride this weekend up the dales with both cars.
 
Starter back from electrician all seems to be well. Was a bit of a pain getting it in and out though luckily my one doesn't have the solenoid on top which makes it a bit smaller to handle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top