Brand new starter motor has cracked after 1 journey??????

The rangie would not start last Saturday morning and was diagnosed as needing new starter by the AA. Into the garage it went and returned with a new starter and note reading "possible flywheel damge". Next day same problem, this time diagnosed as requiring new ringgear. First garage were not able to do the ring gear so off it went to a transmission specilist who replaced the ring gear and fitted a new starter as the old ring gear had damged the replacement starter. Then on Saturday after it would not start again, AA diagnosed a faulty starter. Back into the garage to find the new starter had split down the cone part!! New starter back in it today, but garage saying that this will happen again as something is causing the starter to turn when the car is in motion??????

HELP!!!!!!! - please!!!!!

I think I may have the same problem so would be interested on peoples thoughts too.

Mines eaten 4 starters!!

faulty starter relay would be my best guess. Something is definitely shorting out somewhere. Maybe time for a diagnostics session?

Thanks Leet - i'll get it replaced tomorrow.

Just been out to try and start it and.......nothing.

Dash lights up as it should but turn the key and nothing??

What model Range Rover are we talking about here?

Yea that might help - its a 4.6 '98 plate running on LPG.

Thanks

Joe

Could be the solenoid bit sticking and keeping the starter engaged whilst driving along
depends if that bit was changed with the starter
My mum had it on a clio where the key stuck in start and left the starter engaged

made a right mesh
not sure if BECM could do that
Irish is your man to ask

The starter solenoid which is energised by the starter relay throws the pinion into engagement mechanically, there is a return spring in the solenoid housing. Either the pinion is seizing on the ring gear preventing the return spring from pulling it out of engagement when the solenoid is de energised, the pinion gear is tight on the starter shaft, again making disengagement by the spring difficult or the starter relay is not switching off. The relay can be substituted with one of the same colour from the engine bay fuse box to check if it is a faulty relay causing the problem..this will take all of 5 minutes or less to do and should be the first thing to do.

Thanks guys

I went out earlier and tried to turn it over and yes it started no problem?? There was a slight smell of burning - would this just be because the SM is new or something more serious?

I have ordered a new relay from LR which should be here in a day or two.

This same problem occured approx 6 months ago - although when i pressed the accelarator pedal the car started?? This only happened a few times then went back to normal!

Shall keep you posted

Thanks again

Joe

Pull the starter relay out and look for signs of scorching. Also have a good sniff in the fusebox. Starter motors, even when new dont usually smell.

Yes when removed it does have marking on the pins and did smell a bit.

During the AA's last visit when turning the key he noted smoke coming from the bell housing - hence the reason he thought it was a faulty starter.

Thanks

Joe

Well after replacing the sarter motor relay the car refused to start. Then this morning turned with no probs at all.

Called the AA again who tested evey relay - all ok. He tried starting it over 30 times and started every time no problem.

Does anyone know a test book owner in the Lanarkshire/Glasgow area?

Thanks again

Joe