P38 Starter problems

kooky_guy said:

Hi Guys,

Over the past couple of days, my starter has been getting slower and slower and grindier and grindier sounding to the point yesterday where I really didn't think it would turn the engine fast enough to start. It did, but not so this morning.

Just had a look underneath and found the damn thing was flapping around - bottom bolt completely out - god knows about the top one - I assume it's either missing or the same as the starter was literally half an inch out of it's socket and loose.

Anyway, tightened up the bottom one just to test it and it won't crank at all now, just a loud click.

Battery is good, and everything goes very dim when trying to crank, suggesting that the solenoid is engaging ok. (?)

Does it sound like the starter is toasted?

Is it worth trying to short the terminals across the back (not entirely sure what I'm supposed to do there) or should I just bite the bullet and order a replacement? The whole thing is covered in mud at the moment so it's no fun at all poking around there!

It was supposed to be a funeral car this afternoon, so I'm not very popular...

Guy

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Datatek said:

Guy, I hate to say it but if the starter was literally hanging off, it may have chewed up the ring gear on the flywheel.

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kooky_guy said:

Hi Keith,

I was thinking the same. Fingers crossed.

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kooky_guy said:

Phew. Is 7 hours to change a starter motor on a V8 a record?

It did still have a top bolt in but whoever changed it previously stripped the thread in the bellhousing and put a nut on there instead. Now anyone who has done this job will know how little access there is up there hence the long time. Good job I don't have any neighbours.

Anyway new starter is on and works a treat. Phew.

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