Starter motor failure, or something else???

Hello.

Here I am looking for some help.....again.

My RRC is being a pig to start. It either turns slowly, or not at all.

I initially thought that maybe the alternator was at fault, but at idle I get a good 14.3V, so I'm happy enough with that.

I took it out today, and when ever I stopped the engine it wouldn't start again, gave the symptoms of a flat battery. However, when I attach the jump pack it doesn't always solve the problem, just sometimes.

Just to add to the confusion (for me at least) I drove home this evening (hour and a half at motorway speeds) got home, tried starting it and it turns really really slow.

I attach the jump pack, same thing happens.

I take the jump pack off and it still won't start, leave it 2 mins, and it turns fine. Kill the engine, and it won't turn again. Headlights look fine though, nice and bright, but dim a lot when I'm trying to start the car. Excessive current drain perhaps??

Does anyone have any ideas?!

Thanks

Steve

To me it sounds like a weak battery.

Have the battery tested, the full resistance test, if battery OK, then try a jumper lead from a bolt holding the starter on to a good earth on the chassis. If still slow to turn over it is probably the starter.

I have just been through this, in the end I got a recon starter for £125 delivered. Starts instantly now (better than ever)

Your symptoms match what I has recently on the wife's P38. A new starter motor was the cure.

Starting is quite simply a battery turning an electric motor.
There are only four elements to concern you;
The battery
The wiring
The solenoid
The starter motor

Get your battery properly tested at a battery specialist
Check the cabling from the battery to the solenoid including the connections at each end. Then confirm that there is a good earth path back from the solenoid to the battery, usually through an earth strap from the engine to the body. If you can't see this you can test it by connecting a jump lead from the battery earth to the body of the engine.
If the battery is good, the cabling is good and the solenoid is giving a satisfying click then the motor is fooked.

Thanks for the replies.

I used a jump lead between the engine and the negative terminal on the battery and all seemed ok, so I've cleaned up all the earths and will see how I go.

Thanks for the help!!

Steve

Steve_R1979 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I used a jump lead between the engine and the negative terminal on the battery and all seemed ok, so I've cleaned up all the earths and will see how I go.

Thanks for the help!!

Steve

Click to expand...

Earth straps don't last forever, they corrode, like everything else on a Rangie! If it still doesn't seem great there's nothing stopping you permanently adding another earth strap from the block to the body.

Nice one mate, it's good to hear of the odd cheap repair.