Supply and fit rover starter motor to 1996 Elise

[M030ef00]

Does anyone know somewhere near Torbay/Torquay that can supply and fit a starter motor to a standard 1996 Elise 1.8 K series rover engine. Apparently there are two types of starter motor used and I'm not sure which one I'll need... :-(

(I'm being specific because I met a time served mechanic that didn't know it was an elise and kept referring to it as 'non production' and a 'kit car'. P :-) nis.)

[tanman]

Give Ian a shout at Redpost garage between Totnes and Newton Abbot. He had an Elise himself. When I had the Exige I used him on several occasions. Really nice chap as well.
Andy

[Scuffers]

there were two used, very early cars had 1.1Kw starters, these then went to 1.4Kw versions...

if your replacing it, use the 1,4Kw later one (they are the same physical size and there is not implications in changing it).

you can buy them from here.

fitting is a relatively easy job as it's on-top of the gearbox at the back, so accessible without major strife...

all that said, why do you think it needs replacing?

[M030ef00]

Thanks to both

First of all, I know very little about cars and I am unable to fix them myself.

However, that said I've learned a bit recently. I had a knackered rotor arm in the dizzie cap and, as it wouldn't go when I turned the key, called Green Flag to get it going. The guy didn't check the dizzie cap and declared it gassed up and so he set about clearing this problem by turning over the starter motor, for 45min. I stood there thinking, he must know what he's doing and all it is is an electric motor isn't it. He even stuck the heavy jump leads on from his van so my battery wouldn't run down while running the starter motor. It didn't occur to me that a starter motor does just what it says, it starts. It isn't engineered to dump heat from continued use. Car was recovered and garage replaced the dizzie cap/rotor arm. When I got it from the garage I thought the battery was a bit flat by the lazy way the starter motor turned so ran it home, assuming the recharge would help. It didn't. I got a garage to check the wiring and the leads to the starter aren't very soft and pliable so he came to the same conclusion, stuffed starter motor.

(1.4kW, will get that one thanks Scuffers. Are they definitely interchangeable, a Lotus mechanic told me he's had a problem fitting one on because of slight differences in wiring.)



Cheers

Edited by M030ef00 on Monday 9th July 10:12

[Scuffers]

M030ef00 said:

Thanks to both

First of all, I know very little about cars and I am unable to fix them myself.

However, that said I've learned a bit recently. I had a knackered rotor arm in the dizzie cap and, as it wouldn't go when I turned the key, called Green Flag to get it going. The guy didn't check the dizzie cap and declared it gassed up and so he set about clearing this problem by turning over the starter motor, for 45min. I stood there thinking, he must know what he's doing and all it is is an electric motor isn't it. He even stuck the heavy jump leads on from his van so my battery wouldn't run down while running the starter motor. It didn't occur to me that a starter motor does just what it says, it starts. It isn't engineered to dump heat from continued use. Car was recovered and garage replaced the dizzie cap/rotor arm. When I got it from the garage I thought the battery was a bit flat by the lazy way the starter motor turned so ran it home, assuming the recharge would help. It didn't. I got a garage to check the wiring and the leads to the starter aren't very soft and pliable so he came to the same conclusion, stuffed starter motor.

(14kW, will get that one thanks Scuffers. Are they definitely interchangeable, a Lotus mechanic told me he's had a problem fitting one on because of slight differences in wiring.)

that would do it! (what a moron!)

it's a relatively easy job to change, 2 wire points (dis the battery first!) and two bolts, if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, any half decent mechanic will manage it, probably 30 mins tops (including tea break).

I would be tempted to send Green Flag the bill...

PS. it;s 1.4Kw, not 14!

[M030ef00]

Scuffers said:

that would do it! (what a moron!)

it's a relatively easy job to change, 2 wire points (dis the battery first!) and two bolts, if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, any half decent mechanic will manage it, probably 30 mins tops (including tea break).

I would be tempted to send Green Flag the bill...

PS. it;s 1.4Kw, not 14!

I know, and I was standing there watching him thinking "ooh he's fixing it" . . . *sigh*
I'm going to get the old starter motor out and send it to Green Flag with a mechanic's report.

(14kW so I can make frothy espresso with it too )