Thread: One problem solved, another created...sigh

Originally Posted by ashhhhh

Hey all

Ive just replaced the manifold gaskets on my 2.25L petrol and it has made a big difference to the way it runs, much better.
I think it was blowing or sucking air somewhere.

Anyway thats great....now my starter motor doesnt work.
It clicks and then nothing.
The leads to it get very hot too.

While I was doing the gaskets I noticed the lead from the solenoid to the starter had some insulation damaged and looked a bit loose.
I fixed the insulation and tightened it all up, I also sprayed a small amount of degreaser on the nut the lead goes to and around the end cap.

What do you reckon in going on??

My best guess is that some degreaser has worked its way in and is shorting or by fiddling with that nut something has come adrift internally.

Cheers
Ash

Most likely situation is that the starter has locked in mesh, and there is insufficient torque to start moving the engine. I would remove the starter and check that it operates correctly off the engine (make sure it is securely held before applying power!), and clean the drive mechanism - make sure it is clean and dry - no oil or grease, but a bit of graphite powder. If the starter does not operate off the engine, it will be either the brushes are worn/stuck, or the bushes are worn, allowing it to "pole".

John

By tightening the nut you might have rotated the cable enough to touch metal. Rubber insulation around the cable could be perished, wire now shorted! Sometimes a teeny little backwards turn helps.

my diesel started playing up like this so i went round and cleaned up all the earth points to the motor and the chassis and that worked wonders for starting and all other accesiories too.

Thanks to everyone.

I'm positive something is shorting, it worked perfectly prior to me doing the gasket work - never had a problem with the starter at all.
My battery is also brand spanking new.

How is the motor wired internally?
What connects (inside starter) to the bolt that the 12V lead attaches to?
Is it possible the bolt has rotated when I tightened the nut and pulled a wire off or shorted against the inside of the case?

Ill take it out tomorrow anyway.
Best going up past exhaust or dropping out the bottom?

Ash

Originally Posted by ashhhhh

Thanks to everyone.

I'm positive something is shorting, it worked perfectly prior to me doing the gasket work - never had a problem with the starter at all.
My battery is also brand spanking new.

How is the motor wired internally?
What connects (inside starter) to the bolt that the 12V lead attaches to?
Is it possible the bolt has rotated when I tightened the nut and pulled a wire off or shorted against the inside of the case?

Ill take it out tomorrow anyway.
Best going up past exhaust or dropping out the bottom?

Ash

The bolt your wire connects to goes straight to the field winding, and yes, if you twisted it, a short is possible there. But if it is jammed in gear or poling so the armature can't turn, that will also behave very much like a short.

From memory it is best removed upwards, but it is quite a while since I have had mine off. I know it is a tight fit either way.

John

the little rubber or bakelite insulation point has more than likely failed and as mentioned the cable is now touching the starter body shorting it out.

to confirm that its not the starter locked on the flywheel grab the crank handle and turn the engine over a couple of times with the ignition off.

whip it out take it to a reputable auto sparky and have it reconditioned or if your handy with the tools its a DIY.

proividing the vehicle is in standard trim the startermotor comes out upwards, drive pinion first after playing landrover tetris with it.

No its definitely isnt stuck, ive started it with the crank and driven around.

The insulator sounds like the problem, should have left the bloody nut alone!

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Well Blknight got it, insulation was buggered.

The terminal post has a thin rubbery, plastic coating which had shredded and the fibre washers were also damaged.

Wrapped the post in tape, new washers and I also added a metal washer to sandwich the fibre ones.

Works great.

Much easier job than that bloody gasket too....