Thread: Starter motor earthing

Check earth from battery to chassis and engine. The mounting of the starter will provide an earth from the engine. Often a braided cable is used to earth the engine from the chassis.
Is the solenoid also new?

Thanks mate, will double check, yep solenoid is new too

AFAIK the SIII has a Bendix type starter which doesn't have a solenoid. Common cause of not engaging is the teeth on the ring gear are stuffed.

Originally Posted by Tins

AFAIK the SIII has a Bendix type starter which doesn't have a solenoid. Common cause of not engaging is the teeth on the ring gear are stuffed.

There's a remote solenoid.

Colin

It probably wouldn't hurt to run a direct earth from the starter to the chassis - it avoids relying on the electrons to jump through multiple hoops on their way back to the battery. Not necessary but it doesn't hurt either.

As an earlier post suggested there is a remote solenoid for the starter - usually bolted on the back of the battery carrier.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by gromit

There's a remote solenoid.

Colin

IOW a high current relay. In the parlance of my day a solenoid had the dual function of energising the windings and throwing the drive pinion. A solenoid can perform the function of a relay, but a relay cannot perform the mechanical function of a solenoid.

Like this.

Originally Posted by Tins

IOW a high current relay. In the parlance of my day a solenoid had the dual function of energising the windings and throwing the drive pinion. A solenoid can perform the function of a relay, but a relay cannot perform the mechanical function of a solenoid.

Like this.

But a relay comprises a solenoid that when energised closes the main contacts.
Anyway, as far as I'm aware the starter 'relay' has always been known as a solenoid.

Starter solenoid - 4cyl Petrol - 13H5952L - Paddock Spares


Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

But a relay comprises a solenoid that when energised closes the main contacts.

No, it doesn't. A relay ( in this context ) is a switch activated by an electromagnet that pulls the contacts closed. It has no other mechanical function. A solenoid does the same, but adds a mechanical function as well, such as pulling a lock latch or throwing a starter pinion.

Originally Posted by gromit

Anyway, as far as I'm aware the starter 'relay' has always been known as a solenoid.

Starter solenoid - 4cyl Petrol - 13H5952L - Paddock Spares


Colin

Just because a spare parts mob calls something by a name does not make it right. No wonder getting the correct part is so difficult.