Starter problems

I've been having some problems with my starter recently in my 1995 4.6 P38. Sometimes when trying to start it it would just make a single click sound as in a flat battery, if I held the key in position 3 after about 3 seconds the dash would dim and it would start. I could also just release the key and try again and it would usually start after a few more attempts.

The car has a new 1000CCA battery (as recommended by Datatek), alternator is also new but similar problems were happening with the old battery so it doesn't seem to be battery related. One thing I've noticed with the new battery/alternator is that with the key in position two the battery light will flicker. Not fast/often but every 30 seconds or so the battery light will go off for a second before coming back on. The light stays out when the car is started.

Tonight I tried to start it and now it's just making a single click as you would get with a flat battery. Does that sound like my starter is goosed or could it be something else such as wires? Is the flickering battery symbol something I should worry about.

Could be a bad earth. You can have all the battery power in the world but if you don't complete the circuit nothing will work.
Simple way to test is to connect a jump lead from a good clean place on the engine to the battery neutral. If it starts easily then you've got a bad earth connection somewhere.
If it still strains then check the starter. Start by checking the wiring from the battery to the solenoid and the connections both ends.
Again, this time VERY carefully, you can use a jump lead from the battery positive to the solenoid and try starting.
Remember that cabling can corrode under the insulation so a shiny plastic sheath does not mean that the cable will carry the necessary current.

As above, but could also be a duff alternator, starter motor, ignition switch or starter relay.

The starter eventually gave up with a loud bang and then it would only click. Took it out and the front case had smashed.

I fitted a new one a week ago and it still had the same intermittent starting. Most of the time it would start and then half way through stop. Turning the key again would usually start it. Then this morning that one gave up with a loud bang. I've took that one out and it also has smashed.

I've attached some pictures of them. What could be causing that? Surely nothing to do with the battery/wiring/alternator? Could it be water getting into the bores causing it to lock and destroy the starter? I guess a smaller amount of water would explain why it occasionally stops during starting and then works again a second later.

I haven't checked the flex plate teeth yet today but it was fine when I took the first starter out.

Check your ring gear before you fit the new motor.

If that has been damaged, you could end up damaging the new motor in no time at all.

Looks like those starters have been well and truly hit with something.

When you took the first one out are you sure you managed to get all the bits of the case out and now the second one have you all that case out too?

Would go with N5Fav as well and turn the engine slowly by hand and check all around the ring gear for any damage.

That is not water damage

Datatek said:

That is not water damage

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Unless its leaking into a cylinder and hydraulic pressure is stopping the engine dead in its tracks. Had it once on a Mini but with petrol not water. Stuck carb float allowed which ever cylinder had its inlet valve open to fill up.

tomcat59alan said:

Unless its leaking into a cylinder and hydraulic pressure is stopping the engine dead in its tracks. Had it once on a Mini but with petrol not water. Stuck carb float allowed which ever cylinder had its inlet valve open to fill up.

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Would that not also bend the motor shaft? I can't for the life of me see how stalling the motor would break the casting without the shaft bending

Usually bends the con rods. Guess if it flexes the motor shaft it will crack the casting. Looks severe doesn't it.

Lots of water found in cylinder 6

Spot on diagnosis Alan

Datatek said:

Spot on diagnosis Alan

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Why thank you Keith

tomcat59alan said:

Why thank you Keith

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Would have been more accurate if you had said which cylinder it was.

wammers said:

Would have been more accurate if you had said which cylinder it was.

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The symptoms will happen whichever cylinder is full of water as you know dam well.

tomcat59alan said:

The symptoms will happen whichever cylinder is full of water as you know dam well.

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Yep i do. Had a stupid wife who decided to top the radiator up on her Mini. Then rang me at work and said i've filled the radiator up, it took a lot of water now the car won't turn over. She had filled the gearbox and sump through the oil filler cap to just bellow the top of the rocker cover. Silly bitch.

wammers said:

Yep i do. Had a stupid wife who decided to top the radiator up on her Mini. Then rang me at work and said i've filled the radiator up, it took a lot of water now the car won't turn over. She had filled the gearbox and sump through the oil filler cap to just bellow the top of the rocker cover. Silly bitch.

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Love it.