Thread: xedi starter motor clicking

The battery is the obvious bit.
I had similar symptoms a little while back if the Freebie had been sitting for a few days.
Went away when I changed the battery in the Key Fob and hasn't returned.

Originally Posted by SuperMono

The battery is the obvious bit.
I had similar symptoms a little while back if the Freebie had been sitting for a few days.
Went away when I changed the battery in the Key Fob and hasn't returned.

you changed the battery in the remote and that solved the problem?

I took the engine covers off and finally found the starter motor but couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get to it, so after about an hour of standing around looking at it I put the engine covers back on and the problem hasn't reappeared since

Try Technical - looks like you're struggling for an answer here.

Personally, check battery, then wiring (esp connections) then I'd start looking at the solenoid. Next time it clicks give it a hit with a shifter or something similar and see if it then works

Cost wise - anything up to $500 to be honest. Get it out yourself and take it in and it'll be cheaper.

Cheers
Chris

I knew I shouldn't have said 'it went away'
Back today (twice), my guess is that it is battery related as although it cranks OK when it does, the battery is pretty old and voltage is a bit low.

Have you got a multimeter?
If so put it across the battery terminals and get the wife /spouse /mate/ whatever to crank it.
Anything under about 11 volts is no good.
But the odds are it has carked it.
Regards Philip A

Seems it is actually the surface charge voltage rather than what happens when loaded. On my long neglected, never calibrated multimeter 12.1V means click click, 12.5 means cranking.
1 minute on the charger is enough to lift the surface charge voltage to the point cranking happens. So the long overdue battery replacement better happen this week.

Any battery suggestions?

Thanks for all the replies guys, so far it hasn't reappeared. I estimate the battery to be about two years old.

I have no idea how to get the starter motor out to look at the solenoids, its just above a drive shaft and below the aircleaner, it's a tiny motor in a huge engine bay and they put all the stuff you might want to get to in stupid places.

Hmm, mine is still clicking, even with the new battery....
Being an ex-sparky you would think I would measure more things before making my diagnosis of an old dead battery.
Actually the battery was old and tired, dropping overnight below 12V.
My new diagnosis is that the starter or solenoid is 'stuck' when cold.
A few 'clicks' generally 'unstuck' it and restarts are a breeze while it is warm under bonnet.

On the weekend I'll look for real.

When it does crank that new battery sure does whir it up fast though