starter motor probs?

[caterhamnut]

2 or 3 times in the last week the starter motor has wirred away without throwing out the starter cog (symplified description) and engaging the flywheel. Could this mean that it needs lubricating (perhaps it has dried out a bit as it has got hot?) or is it a sound leading to impending failure?

 

 

...which would lead on to the next question - is it a Rover part and how much?!

 

😬26,000 miles in 13 months!

angus@tinyworld.co.uk

[Peter Carmichael]

Not a Rover part cos it is fitted to a caterham bellhousing. They don't normally go that way, so you are very lucky indeed to have a novel mode of failure...

[JAG]

Is the starter motor a 'pre-engaged' unit? This type use a solenoid to push the starter cog into engagement with the fly wheel before spinning the starter motor. Perhaps the solenoid isn't working??

 

You can tell if it's a 'pre-engaged' starter simply by looking at it. The solenoid sits piggy back on top of the starter motor - so the starter motor will have a slightly smaller cylindrical object sitting on top of it. That's the solenoid. Should be cheaper/easier to fix than swapping the whole thing.

 

JAG

[J.R.]

Angus

 

Assuming pre-engaged starter then the one way or sprag clutch within the pinion needs replacing. A lot cheaper than an exchange starter if you can find a specialist that wil repair it rather than try to flog you a new one.

 

See you at Croix next month.

[Peter Carmichael]

The people you need to take your alternator to will sort this for you.