Starter motor? (1st post)

[Viper1day]

So, first post and i've had my S3c for more than a year!! Been really lucky i guess. OK, i had to get new front springs when i bought her to allow me to get the bonnet open, oh yeah, and the bonnet nearly fell off completely when the hinge plates both rusted through, but generally I am a happy man.

However . . . . . I now have a starting problem. I just got a click when turning the ignition - refused to turn over at all. Did this a few times last summer but only ever very temporary. Persistant this time - only solved by holding key in 'start' position for about 20 seconds or so (genius tip from this forum somewhere).

So given the above, do i need a new starter motor / solenoid? Is a re-con one a good idea? Things to check before i splash my cash?

Help really appreciated! Thanks.

[GadgeS3C]

Welcome,

As the happy owner of an S3C let me be the first to mention the dreaded yellow connector!

Someone will be along to post a pic any minute but this beastie lives under the steering column and connects the feed to the starter solenoid. It has a habit of self-destructing with exactly the symptoms mentioned. Don't ask me how I know!

I've also seen a hot start metioned on here but I'd bet on the above.

When mine played up I was also getting a low voltage reading on the voltmeter as if it wasn't charging.

Good luck and don't panic, the folks on here are really, really helpful.
Gary

[Viper1day]

Thanks Gary. Probably worth checking / changing this anyway i would think given the number of times it pops up on here!

[GadgeS3C]

Forgot to mention, I've seen suggested on here using an Andersen connector as a replacement. I tried that and it melted that as well!

Replaced that with a "large cable connector" from here (see bottom of page - LC24) http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...

That's sorted it - I hope.
Gary

[GreenV8S]

Check the Voltage you're getting at the solenoid when the problem happens. If it's significantly below the battery Voltage then you have a wiring problem. If it's in the region of 12V then the wiring is OK and you have a sticking solenoid. The normal cure is to have it reconditioned.

[orange_dodo]

GreenV8S said:

Check the Voltage you're getting at the solenoid when the problem happens. If it's significantly below the battery Voltage then you have a wiring problem. If it's in the region of 12V then the wiring is OK and you have a sticking solenoid. The normal cure is to have it reconditioned.

I had the 'click' problem and overhauling the starter motor and solenoid as well as cleaning up the wiring fixed it.

• I dismantled and cleaned the starter and solenoid
• Cleaned up and resoldered the starter motor +ve cable
• Wet and dried a section of the starter casing that bolts onto the bellhousing as well as the bell housing itself
• Replaced about a meter of manky solenoid wire and put new connectors on it
• Cleaned up my chassis earth

After all that it worked fine and has done for more than a year. Now if only my ignition system behaved itself.....

[Viper1day]

Thanks guys - i will have a little play and see what happens. The 'problem' i have now is that the problem has disappeared . . . . . . for now anyway!

[AutoAndy]

Viper1day said:

Thanks guys - i will have a little play and see what happens. The 'problem' i have now is that the problem has disappeared . . . . . . for now anyway!

Oh no...Intermittent electrical issue!...that's the worst sort

I had one of those and it turned out to be the yellow connector. The easy way to check is to take off the steering cowel and look for the connector and pull it apart. If it is still yellow then you are probaly OK (...for now) but it is more likely to be a melted blacky-yellow colour inside...Change it and then you can drive with a more relaxed attitude every time.

[Bobhon]

Hi there. I think that you will find lots of advice on this one in the advanced search. It's a not uncommon issue.

Try my posting on this link:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

(Hope the link works).

In my experience the problem is the resistance in the starter motor switching feed wire (thin wire at the starter) increasing over the years. This can be caused by the dreaded yellow connector breaking down and any of the other connectors along the long long run from the fusebox to the starter motor.

Nett result is not enough Amps to pull in the solenoid properly to allow the starter to turn over. Making this wire switch a relay, which takes minimal current, eases the load on the feed wire.

(With acknowledgements to Philpott who told me how to fix it in the first place)

HTH

Bob

Edited by Bobhon on Friday 27th May 16:51

[MnS]

Had a similar problem, seemed like the dreaded yellow connector problems,intermittantly running rough etc, connector already had been replaced, then it wouldn't start, clicking at starter motor. Battery Cable onto starter motor not tightened fully and smaller wire off motor to loom dirty and rusted. Tightned up and cleaned/put new spade connector on and all ok. good luck,
Ian

[S3Paulo]

MnS said:

Had a similar problem, seemed like the dreaded yellow connector problems,intermittantly running rough etc, connector already had been replaced, then it wouldn't start, clicking at starter motor. Battery Cable onto starter motor not tightened fully and smaller wire off motor to loom dirty and rusted. Tightned up and cleaned/put new spade connector on and all ok. good luck,
Ian

Yup...that was my cure too

Paul

[Viper1day]

Ok - have checked the yellow connector and don't think it is the problem. It looks fine and only has one wire in and one out, so i assume someone has previously employed preventative measures. Will jack car up tomorrow and explore connections. Started after holding the key in start for only a couple of seconds today, rather than about 20 on weds - must mean something?!?!