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starter solenoid
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:30 am
by sean_b
hi,
i reckon my starter solenoid needs fixing as it takes bout 10 turns for the engine to kick in. I was going to leave with an auto spark for him to look @ but just wanna check if its likely i will need parts to sort it out and would these parts be standard or jap imports.
dont want to left with a wagon thats going nowhere until i get the offending parts.
cheers in-advance
Sean
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:39 am
by Veg_Ian
A starter usually either works or it doesn't. If it is spinning and engaging ok then look elsewhere for the problem. If it is turning slowly and hence requiring 10 tries to fire then suspect the battery or glowplugs. If it is spinning ok but not engaging suspect the bendix. If you are just getting a click and not spinning then suspect the brushes. In terms of parts, if it is brushes then the autospark should be able to source parts locally. If the bendix then dunno, could take longer.
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:08 pm
by sean_b
cheers,
i didnt mention that the 10 tries is not always the case, sometimes it engages first time. i wait till the glow lights go out then i get a click when i turn the key and nothing most time. patients usually wins thou, but i know in the long term it needs sorting. i replaced the battery bout 12 months ago so doubt its that.
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:42 pm
by Veg_Ian
A click? I'd put money on it being the brushes then. Might get away with simply cleaning up. Relatively easy to do yourself if mechanically minded.
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:47 pm
by wonkanoby
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:32 pm
by Veg_Ian
Sorry meant contacts - I'm visualising the days when I used to strip dynamos (showing my age now).
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:04 pm
by alant54
I used to have a dynamo on my push bike....but if you didn't pedal fast enough you got run down by the car coming from behind....happy days..? ...I think not....

....Alan
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:27 pm
by moonshine
I've just taken a dynamo off one of my boat engines to strip down. Brushes are ok but commutator is absolutely black! Work needed I think.
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:04 pm
by vic swan
I'm having the same problem. Thought at first it was the glowplugs, but after reading this thread it sounds like solonoid contacts. Now got to find a good auto sparks in the Weymouth area.

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:55 pm
by Veg_Ian
Go on have a go yourself - you know you want to

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:26 am
by wonkanoby
getting the bits is the hardpart
the auto elecrician i got mine of was not willing
but as ive bought radios etc of him over the years he obliged
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html
shame they are in the states not here
but im sure the club could source them in the uk
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:07 pm
by sean_b
got sorted in the end. new contacts and a brush. cost me 80 sheets.
cheers for all the advice
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:25 pm
by mikeonb4c
Great news sean_b and presumably all 100% fine now. Out of interest, where did you source the parts you needed from and/or how did you get the work done. I'd find it v. useful to know for if/when the Starter Bell Tolls for Me.
Mike
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:13 pm
by xpanse0
Had exactly the same problem. I sent it to a guy expecting to pay for a new starter motor, who then kindly informed me that it was the solenoid. It cost me about £35 amongst other things that i got done. Very pleased.
good luck
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:57 pm
by sean_b
mike, just took it to my local car elec place. he sourced the parts

, i paid the bill

, the old beast works like a charm

.
thou speaking to a friend of mine who a mech, could'nt get @ the time, said
he thought was a little bit on the expensive side but dont care as i dont need to sit for 5 mins b4 starting.