P38 starter motor

Hi Guys i'm no mechanic. I think my starter motor is stook, as when i turn the ignition i get nothing, checked battery and its fully charged.

So my question is can anyone tell me the location of the starter motor so i can tap it with a hammer to see if i can free it. as stated i'm no mechanic, but am trying to learn how to do little things myself to save on cash

Thank you

There is another thread active about starter motors. How did you check the battery? Do the lights dim on the dash when you turn the key? Petrol or diesel???

Hi There i put a trickle charge battery charger on it and it was near enough full. lights dont dim from what i remember, there was a clicking noise when i turned the ignition its a 4.0 V8

JOHN76 said:

Hi There i put a trickle charge battery charger on it and it was near enough full. lights dont dim from what i remember, there was a clicking noise when i turned the ignition its a 4.0 V8

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So, you haven't checked the battery, the appearance of full charge does not mean a lot. You need to check if the lights dim or go out, if they do it's likely to be the battery, if they don't it could be a lot of things from the fusebox to a relay or the starter motor, even I believe, loss of sync. Not sure about the last as I don't know the petrol model.

JOHN76 said:

Hi There i put a trickle charge battery charger on it and it was near enough full. lights dont dim from what i remember, there was a clicking noise when i turned the ignition its a 4.0 V8

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IF you turn the key and the lights go very dim or out altogether it is the battery or a bad connection on battery or starter. If there is a distinct click and nothing happens at all, it is odds on starter solenoid not closing main contacts. The contact is a copper bar that is pushed into contact with the main terminals internally by the solenoid to close the circuit. They tend to bend over time and burn out.

is your engine cheeck light commiong on? if not its out of sync and you can hit the bloody starter all you wont it wont start ..

j the range said:

is your engine cheeck light commiong on? if not its out of sync and you can hit the bloody starter all you wont it wont start ..

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Thanks J, I thought that was the case but not sure about these complicated gas/petrol burners

Thanks for your replies i will check the lights tonight and the engine light, but i dont think the lights go dim, just the bloody clicking ha ha it happened a couple of days ago and i got out of the car locked it unlocked got back it and started first turn of the key, that was why i was wondering if the starter motor had got stuck

j the range said:

is your engine cheeck light commiong on? if not its out of sync and you can hit the bloody starter all you wont it wont start ..

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Does being out of sync deactivate the starter circuit. Or does the engine still turn but not start?

on the thor it just turns over but on the gems it dont turn over just clicks

j the range said:

on the thor it just turns over but on the gems it dont turn over just clicks

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Well from what this bloke says he can go to it and it starts then try it and it won't. Sounds like solenoid to me J. Can't see that it is re-syncing itself between faults.

JOHN76 said:

Hi Guys i'm no mechanic. I think my starter motor is stook, as when i turn the ignition i get nothing, checked battery and its fully charged.

So my question is can anyone tell me the location of the starter motor so i can tap it with a hammer to see if i can free it. as stated i'm no mechanic, but am trying to learn how to do little things myself to save on cash

Thank you

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sounds like bat or starter. with the clicking id say the battery so id first try to jump start your car with a good set of leads and the wifes car. leave the other car running for a bit befor trying to start yours..if no good find the starter motor. i have a disel so i dont know where yours is but once you have found it.. dont hit it with the hammer just yet if you can get to the back of the starter motor. with one of you jump leads put one end on to the earth and just tuch the live with the other dont hold it on there you will get a spark. so do not do it if you can see or smell any petrol maybe a quick jet wash first. the strarter should try to start the car you will no if its working or not just buy the sound...if the engine dont turn over when you do that then its the starter motor if it dose it a relay or computer fault.befor you go and set fire to your self i take it your car has a auto gear box ..if not forget all the above and when your car will not start get the wife to push you down a hill in gear let the clutch up if it starts then the starter motors had it if not computer or relays fault. best of luck

Well got home, tried starting car still wouldnt have it, got me hammer out found the starter motor 2 little taps later and the Beast fired up no problem so i'll be replacing the starter motor soon, Thank you all for your help

Well i'm confused again, as stated before a few taps on starter motor it started. been out to it again and it failed to start, someone mention on here jump starting done that and it started second turn of key so am i right in thinking replace battery and starter motor?
got another problem but will mention that later ha ha

JOHN76 said:

Well i'm confused again, as stated before a few taps on starter motor it started. been out to it again and it failed to start, someone mention on here jump starting done that and it started second turn of key so am i right in thinking replace battery and starter motor?
got another problem but will mention that later ha ha

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If you know what you are about strip it and repair it or fit a new solenoid. If not fit a new starter. The solenoid main switch contact is fooked.

JOHN76 said:

Well i'm confused again, as stated before a few taps on starter motor it started. been out to it again and it failed to start, someone mention on here jump starting done that and it started second turn of key so am i right in thinking replace battery and starter motor?
got another problem but will mention that later ha ha

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mate by the sound of it id proberly change both but id get a new battery first and see how you get on with that then if it happend agen then id change the starter motor..befor you do anything id get someone just to check that the altonator is doing it job as that could be the fult. the battery on the p38 is importent i have a brand new battery and a sola panel and mine will still die arfter a few days if not used. the p38 is ment to go into sleep mode when its not being used but alot of them dont turn off at all so they kill the battery. altonator battery starter motor in that order........wots the other fult it could be linked

Yeah think i'm going to replace battery today and will replace starter motor too, to save all the hassle in the future

cheers for your help

I'm looking at batteries, and would like to know what battery you recommend, eurocar parts are showing a bosch battery 70ah for it, but i'm sure my last P38 i had a Varta 95ah battery for it

Look forward to replies

JOHN76 said:

Yeah think i'm going to replace battery today and will replace starter motor too, to save all the hassle in the future

cheers for your help

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mate please make sure you have the altonator checked on a meter befor changeing bat and starter if the altonator is not working as it should changing anything els could be a wast of time and money best of luck jamie

JOHN76 said:

I'm looking at batteries, and would like to know what battery you recommend, eurocar parts are showing a bosch battery 70ah for it, but i'm sure my last P38 i had a Varta 95ah battery for it

Look forward to replies

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hi if thats wot there computer shows it could be right but i just brought one and think mine is a 95a but i will have a look for you and get back to you abit later today....