Thread: 300Tdi starter motor poling

I think my starter motor motor may be poling.

It's had a bearing type grumble for a while, but every now and then it'll bog down and crank slowly. It must have an internal short as it has now welded shut two handbrake cables.

I've replaced the bonding straps from a wreck and put a new earth from the battery to the engine but I think I'm just delaying the inevitable. Any recommendations on what else to check before shelling out for a new starter motor?

A perfectly normal starter motor will fry your hand brake cable if that is the only earth path available for the current. Steel cable of that size doesn't have the conductivity of copper earth straps you know. Checking/cleaning the ends of the chassis to engine earth strap is a regular service item, say once a year for vehicles used off road. If the starter is working normally now just plan for the day when you have a new spare one on hand. It should also be possible to open one up, inspect the guts, blow out the dust and oil the end bushes.