Crappy starter motors

C

Colthebrummie

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Thatcham

• Apr 17, 2019

• #1

my 1.8 fl1 is having a few problems with its starter motor, turn the key and the starter spins but doesn't engage with the flywheel. It was happening on just the odd occasion but it's getting a lot more frequent to the point of me wondering if it's going to start at all. Nothing strange in any of this in an old car (2003). The thing is though, I've had it less than two years and it had a new starter fitted just before I bought it, there is a receipt for the work in the folder of paperwork that came with it. I've only done 13000 miles so you would have thought it would last longer than that. What happened to the days when, if you replaced a starter motor, you'd not need to ever worry about it again. Is there any particular brand of starter motor that I should avoid getting? I'm tempted to just take out the old one and see if there is anything I can do to rejuvenate it. Am I right in thinking the shaft should be dry rather than lubricated (Ooh, missus)

Col

 

Stv123

Active Member

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501

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derbyshire

• Apr 17, 2019

• #2

I would check the gear on the flywheel that the starter engages with.

 

C

Colthebrummie

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Thatcham

• Apr 17, 2019

• #3

Thanks for your reply but I don't think it's that. There is no sound of the starter cog making a connection to anything and after the third or fourth turn of the key it starts like a dream. I will of course check the flywheel ring when the starter is out.

Col

 

Alibro

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7,205

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Northern Ireland

• Apr 17, 2019

• #4

Maybe poor connection?

 

kevstar

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In the next Glen

• Apr 17, 2019

• #5

The starter is nacked simple solution bite the bullet & buy another one

 

C

Colthebrummie

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Thatcham

• Apr 18, 2019

• #6

kevstar said:

The starter is nacked simple solution bite the bullet & buy another one

Click to expand...

I know, that I don't mind but I mind paying for something that should last at least 80,000 miles but only lasts for about 15,000. They ain't cheap.

Col

 

Alibro

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Northern Ireland

• Apr 18, 2019

• #7

Buy a used one, K series cars commonly end up in the scrappy with less than 100k miles so the starter should still be OK.

 

biketeacherdave

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south east london

• Apr 18, 2019

• #8

Buy a refurb kit and fix it ur self easy peasy cost me £7.50 when i did my range rover

 

kevstar

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In the next Glen

• Apr 18, 2019

• #9

Colthebrummie said:

I know, that I don't mind but I mind paying for something that should last at least 80,000 miles but only lasts for about 15,000. They ain't cheap.

I know what your saying but I think its just your luck with them tbh ive not long replaced the starter in my disco
& bought a refurb kit for my old starter just in case I need it at some point, same a BTD has suggested....
Col

Click to expand...

biketeacherdave said:

Buy a refurb kit and fix it ur self easy peasy cost me £7.50 when i did my range rover
View attachment 175683

Click to expand...

 

C

Colthebrummie

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9,870

Location

Thatcham

• Apr 19, 2019

• #10

The inner workings of me starter are fine, it's the best sounding starter I've ever had, it's just that bit that sticks out with the cog on the end. Either the shaft is dirty or the Spring is weak/broken. A new one is ordered and I'll take a look at the old when when its out. The thing that's annoying me is the cost of a starter is about half the value of the entire car.

Col