V8i a non starter

today when my mrs was in the car she turned it off and it just didnt start again, the dash lights apparently light up but when she tried to turn it over they dimmed but there was nothing, the starter motor was not turning. she managed to bump start it in reverse and its started fine since, as i topped up on gas earlier i mentioned this to the lad on the pump and he told me he would check my battery, alternator etc with a little meter, he sais the battery was very strong and that everythings working as it should be and charging well. new starter motor?

Probably a sticky solenoid in the starter, not a big issue but getting to the point where it needs sorting out.

Clutch dust gets into the operating fork which moves the pinion into engagement (assuming a manual gearbox) the full battery power isn't applied to the motor until the pinion has reached full travel and is fully engaged.

Auto boxes usually have oil from the rear main instead of clutch dust

While it's off, get the brushes looked at as well.

Peter

yep its a manual, is this gonna be a replacement job or can i take it off and clean it up?

Ive seen a bloke put a disco into 1st and got out and rocked it forward and backwards to try to get it to start when it wouldnt start, was he doing that to try to unstick the solenoid/starter? turns out he was trying to use the wrong bloody key in the ignition in the end! haha!

Also worth a mention i noticed that a spade on the ignition coil was slightly pushed up out of place and so i pushed it back down again, once whilst offroading in forrestry a branch pushed its way right up into the engine bay and done exactly the same thing to the same wire, that resulted in the car not turning over then until i pushed it back down.

Get it off and have a look, the brushes will need the end plate off if it's a later motor and the new ones are a BIG soldering iron job.

The solenoid can be cleaned with clutch/brake cleaner, don't use WD40, it must be dry and clean.

Peter

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, i went under the car last night and gave the whole starter motor a liberal spray of WD40 whilst still on the vehicle, that wont effect the solenoid would it? (i take it its sealed inside), Ive never soldered in my life (nor do i own a soldering iron).

Ive located a new 1 for 70 squids and would put it on myself but can/is it worth taking it off and getting it refurbed by someone? cheers

Get the new one, do the old one up and keep as an emergency spare.

Peter

a bloody good idea, shall i buy it now or just treat it as a one off and only buy one if the problem persists? i am wondering a lot about that spade being ut of place on the ignition coil. would that of resulted in the same symptoms?

I'd buy it now, nothing is so sure that you'll need the thing if you don't!

Peter