Help - Starting problem

[Midlifecrisis71]

So on the 4th day of using my new lovely new 3R - I started her to move out of the garage & switched off. Then she wouldnt start again.

I have traced the electrics as ive blown the 15A fuse in the starter trigger circuit by trying to start it so much.

I am now getting a loud click - I assume its the solenoid sending the starter wheel up its spindle but I dont get anything turning over.
I havce rocked the car, I have now moved the crank to ensure nothing is jammed, ive even tapped the starter motor lightly. The starter wheel isnt stuck, i dont beleive.

Am I right in thinking the only thing left is to get the starter motor out of the car ?

Background, on the previous 2 or 3 starts, the car often clicked the first time and wouldnt turn over, then the second attempt it clicks and starts fine, so i didnt think much of it as it was a new car to me & just been serviced at Jetstream. Now i suspect this was the beginning of the motor failing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
How do I get the starter out ?

[Adrian W]

Try hitting the starter solenoid a few times, unfortunately the inside of the starter solenoid gets covered in clutch dust, this stops the contacts making properly , that is why the solinoid throws but nothing much happens, most owners buy a new starter motor, I take mine off and clean it.

A good whack should work

[Midlifecrisis71]

Adrian W said:

Try hitting the starter solenoid a few times, unfortunately the inside of the starter solenoid gets covered in clutch dust, this stops the contacts making properly , that is why the solinoid throws but nothing much happens, most owners buy a new starter motor, I take mine off and clean it.

A good whack should work

Thanks for the comments - Sounds worth a try, but even if it works I will want to take it off and clean it, so I have to ask....

How easy is it to take off ? Can I do it from the side access ?

[Adrian W]

No, it from underneath, to be safe you need to disconnect the battery first, the starter motor is very close to the petrol tank

[TuxMan]

Are you sure the battery is not flat ? , does it bump start ?

[Midlifecrisis71]

TuxMan said:

Are you sure the battery is not flat ? , does it bump start ?

Hi. Battery is tip top, brand new & on accumate, holding 12.6volts. I only tried to bump start it once & no it didn't bump start, that is the only thing I couldn't work out but I didn't want to push it far away from the house and have to tow it back again.

Fuel pump primes
starter solenoid clicks
flywheel/crank turn fine
solenoid trigger wire from ign has voltage when ign turned to 3
main battery feed has voltage

The only thing left can be the starter motor itself ?

[951]

Hi, had this a year or two ago - exact same symptoms including blowing the fuse.

It turned out to be a loose connection on the starter - tightened it up and repositioned the lead and it's been fine ever since.

Graham

[V1DL3R]

did you get it sorted?

[Midlifecrisis71]

not sorted it yet

JS found a loose connection previously, but I need to check, they look tight.
Im away from home at work, will take a look at it later this week, if the connections are tight, i'll take out the starter and bench test it. But ive ordered a new one.