P38A 2.5 diesel starter motor

[RangeRoller dt]

Decided before ordering a new starter motor to investigate the one already on the vehicle first.

Its a BMW 5 series scrappy job

Stripped it down completely and it was in hell of a state but all there. All I needed was a 10mm + 12mm spanner, flat head screwdriver wire brush and few rags. Use contact cleaner if you have it.
Had 1/4 bucket crap out of there and some parts of the commutator were broke.

Brushes were worn unevenly so rearranged and glued broken plastic retainers, cleaned it all up including external contacts, reassembled gearing with fresh grease in gears, shafts and solenoid arm.
This is it mostly disassembled with most of the crap off but still black and rusty.

It went together bit worn but clean & shiny. I didn't have contact cleaner so substituted little brake/clutch cleaner. now starts better than ever, really has some go in it

I'm not a mechanic, engineer or horologist, haven't done this before and don't even own a complete socket or spanner set, just odd ones
I would advise to atleast try this before buying new unit ; if you c*ck it up or it's past repair you will just buy a new unit anyway. This saved me best part of £100 and got my vehicle running next day. It really was alot easier than I anticipated.

 

[brianp38dse]

Well done, as you say nothing to loose and got a result and now have a better understanding of how it works

 

[Grrrrrr]

Good to know the bimmer unit is the same.

 

[wammers]

Good to know the bimmer unit is the same.

Why would it not be on a BMW engine?

 

[Grrrrrr]

Why would it not be on a BMW engine?

Because at some stage Land Rover got involved. I take nothing for granted.

 

[RangeRoller dt]

Why would it not be on a BMW engine?

You are familiar and knowledgable enough with all types that it would seem obvious to you
I'm wary of using parts from omegas or 5series as they do change things up. People changing FIP's for example, but I can confirm 5series starters are compatible. One day we may have to use what is available as more people give up on the old LRs
Wonder if there is difference in price between 5series/RR part?, they just buy BMW and add % plus handling and admin fees

 

[wammers]

You are familiar and knowledgable enough with all types that it would seem obvious to you
I'm wary of using parts from omegas or 5series as they do change things up. People changing FIP's for example, but I can confirm 5series starters are compatible. One day we may have to use what is available as more people give up on the old LRs
Wonder if there is difference in price between 5series/RR part?, they just buy BMW and add % plus handling and admin fees

The injection pump electrics and ECUs are different because a 2.25 ton 4 X 4 needs a different torque and power curve than a family saloon. Other than injection pumps buying parts for the M51 from BMW is seriously cheaper in many cases than buying the same parts from Land Rover.

 

[RangeRoller dt]

I was suprised that this unit has already lived atleast two lives, and was still completely serviceable, easily, quickly, at no cost, successfully by an idiot! - me

I was nearly at the point of ripping alternator/fuse box out - of which I also do not know what I am doing

I'm so so glad it's running an hope this will be of help to others.
I bought the vehicle v.cheap off a mechanic as it was bad starter/runner (and I rolled it a little) He couldn't get it going tidy

All I know is what I have learned so far on Landyzone from you patient guys/gals so thanks to all

If I can do it you can too

 

[Grrrrrr]

You are familiar and knowledgable enough with all types that it would seem obvious to you
I'm wary of using parts from omegas or 5series as they do change things up. People changing FIP's for example, but I can confirm 5series starters are compatible. One day we may have to use what is available as more people give up on the old LRs
Wonder if there is difference in price between 5series/RR part?, they just buy BMW and add % plus handling and admin fees

My alternator is the bimmer one as it was half the price.

 

[wammers]

My alternator is the bimmer one as it was half the price.

A good illustration of my comments in post #7.

 

[tomcat59alan]

My alternator is the bimmer one as it was half the price.

Mine was even cheaper, F all delivered, got it on the warranty just before it ran out.still got the replacement as a spare. Car threw a alternator problem message on the dash then healed itself. 12 years ago by the way.

 

[RangeRoller dt]

As promised - It died today.

That’s 15weeks 6days since the few hour rebuild with no parts.

Has been sounding less powerful last few weeks, struggled once or twice recently.
Bleeding fuel system by cranking today finished it off. Can only get it to click

I wasn’t gonna let this one die on the operating table

Thought I’d test it first....

Clear!...

Solenoid works, but couldn’t get it to turn? Then thread for then13mm connection seemed loose.... so I tried about... then noticed hmmm, no sparks?

Think I may have welded the insides of my battery together I looked down the hole for the green light - it now looks like crystals

What have I done again

 

[kds]

Might have been better to put the black negative lead to starter body to earth it and used the red positive lead on the 13mm bolt to feed power to motor and bridge across to soliniod connection to pull it in but what do I know.

 

[RangeRoller dt]

It’s been a long day

I’m not giving up, I’m still breathing, just need to sleep bit first

 

[kds]

That com looks a bit, worn what are the brushes like ?

 

[RangeRoller dt]

Triangles

will take a pic for you tomorrow

 

[Datatek]

Might have been better to put the black negative lead to starter body to earth it and used the red positive lead on the 13mm bolt to feed power to motor and bridge across to soliniod connection to pull it in but what do I know.

^^^^ As above, polarity is wrong

 

[wammers]

It was just a demonstration of how to run a starter in reverse.

 

[Grrrrrr]

^^^^ As above, polarity is wrong

That's not going to be good for the solenoid?

 

[wammers]

That's not going to be good for the solenoid?

Why is that?