Starter Motor (Poor Starting) - Clean or Replace

Hi guys,

I had my P38 check out two days ago, since she started cranking slowly or wouldn't crank fast enough to get the engine going. She finally decide to not to engage the starter motor... to recover I had to tap the starter with a small wrench to get he going again. It has been fine for 2 days and cranking more forcefully than before.

I was advised by some passer by mechanics (non land rover) to clean the starter with electric contact cleaner.
Do I have to open up/remove the starter to do this or do i just spray on the solenoid connectors and out casing. The Starter motor seems water tight though.

The current starter is a Bosch model. I am keen on looking for a replacement - I have the options of a LUCAS £82.00 or Valeo £155.00.
What do you guys recommend clean (how?)/or replace (Lucas or Valeo)

I have some pics attached of the starter

Thanks

Aftermarket starter motors are available from Island 4x4 for under £60. I have had one on my 4.6 for around 3 years or so without any problems. The problem with the original one was that sometimes it would just "Click" and not engage...leave it for 5mins. and it would start o.k.
Thing to remember is, if the starter packs up, and your car is an Automatic....you go nowhere.

It's usually the solenoid on the starter motor that fails. Here in France you can buy the solenoid as a separate part for many starter motors. Just done this on my tractor.

Thanks Guys,

Irishrover, I checked out Island4x4, I asked for a shipping quote so I may progress that, since its a britpart, is it ok...considering the negative opinions on here.

DataTek, I like the Solenoid replacement option, I will look around online for one, but if you can send me a link to a online retailer, that would be welcomed.

Regards

Replace. Britpart generally ok. Sometimes it's the plank that fits them that's the problem.

gstman said:

Thanks Guys,

Irishrover, I checked out Island4x4, I asked for a shipping quote so I may progress that, since its a britpart, is it ok...considering the negative opinions on here.

DataTek, I like the Solenoid replacement option, I will look around online for one, but if you can send me a link to a online retailer, that would be welcomed.

Regards

Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't have an online link, just a local supplier.

Yes the solenoids can and do fail.
On the other hand, the brushes, commutator and stator windings can break down. For the sake of £60, it's cheaper than a repair of possibly a worn out item.
I speak as I find and so far I have had no problem with Britpart products that I have bought. They are guaranteed and have ISO accreditation.
Send an email to Sam at Island 4x4 I am sure he will give the shipping cost options.

Irishrover said:

Yes the solenoids can and do fail.
On the other hand, the brushes, commutator and stator windings can break down. For the sake of £60, it's cheaper than a repair of possibly a worn out item.
I speak as I find and so far I have had no problem with Britpart products that I have bought. They are guaranteed and have ISO accreditation.
Send an email to Sam at Island 4x4 I am sure he will give the shipping cost options.

Click to expand...

At £60 I agree replace the lot. An exchange re-con starter for my tractor was €375 a solenoid fitted and the unit tested was €90

get a new starter.

Dont get britpart!!!!!

I am having similar issues and have found the leads from the Alt to the starter and also from starter to battery are both losing volts might be worth checking as the cables do corrode internally and give fluctuating performance will be cheaper than a new starter hope this helps

Thanks for all the replies

sandyt - I did notice the HEVAC display switch off when the key is turned to the start position, then turn on again when the key returned to position II. After the starter got beatup with a wrench it starts rather forcefully now, but i will still check the cables

fett - I do intend to replace the starter, i have three options:

Island4x4
60.00 Britpart

Mansfield4x4
82.00 Lucas - Is this Lucas better than britpart?
179.00 Valeo

Thanks to all

SandyT makes a good point. The connection to the solenoid is prone to corrosion and voltage loss. I had the symptoms of difficult re-starting. Sometimes if I came back 30 minutes later, the starter would operate. I ordered and received a new starter, but before fitting it, cleaning the solenoid connector thoroughly got rid of the problem. That was over a year ago, and the new starter is still sitting in its box.

greenslade said:

SandyT makes a good point. The connection to the solenoid is prone to corrosion and voltage loss. I had the symptoms of difficult re-starting. Sometimes if I came back 30 minutes later, the starter would operate. I ordered and received a new starter, but before fitting it, cleaning the solenoid connector thoroughly got rid of the problem. That was over a year ago, and the new starter is still sitting in its box.

Click to expand...

In that case it would have been easy to diagnose if after trying the starter the terminal was warm. Knowing that would have saved you the price of a new starter.

gstman said:

Thanks for all the replies

sandyt - I did notice the HEVAC display switch off when the key is turned to the start position, then turn on again when the key returned to position II. After the starter got beatup with a wrench it starts rather forcefully now, but i will still check the cables

fett - I do intend to replace the starter, i have three options:

Island4x4
60.00 Britpart

Mansfield4x4
82.00 Lucas - Is this Lucas better than britpart?
179.00 Valeo

Thanks to all

Click to expand...

If hitting it makes it work odds on it is the contact plate within the solenoid that is not making correctly. These can be stripped and cleaned unless they are badly burned.

wammers said:

If hitting it makes it work odds on it is the contact plate within the solenoid that is not making correctly. These can be stripped and cleaned unless they are badly burned.

Click to expand...

Some can be stripped and cleaned, some can't, they are often crimped up sealed units now. Thats progress, throw it away, don't recycle it

lucas are better than britpart but they still arnt as good as proper car parts

Hi Guys,

Just an update, my friend mechanic and I fitted the new starter today...she now starts up like a new car . Im not sure if it was the starter motor or the solenoid....but I will take it to a local auto electrical to have it examined.
But I notice it is covered in quite a bit of oil and dirt.


FYI ... I got the Lucas starter , hope it holds up for a few years.

Thanks for all the assistance....

In summary - My Poor or Slow Cranking when starting
Starter Replaced problem Solved.