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Starter won't crank

Started by _73LJWhiteSL_ , Sep 09 2007 10:22 PM

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21 replies to this topic

#1 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 09 September 2007 - 10:22 PM

gday all,

finally got the car all back together tonite, cept it won't crank over. When i turn it to start i here a click from under the bonnet ( I assume its the starter solnoid) but the motor doesn't crank.

What should i test?

Otherwise the starter will come out again and go to the auto elec's out the front of dads work again. :cry:

Steve

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#2 rodomo

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Posted 09 September 2007 - 10:23 PM

Has your battery gone flat while sitting?
Did you reconnect the earth on the engine?
Will your motor turn by hand?

Edited by rodomo, 09 September 2007 - 10:23 PM.

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#3 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 09 September 2007 - 10:30 PM

Battery is showing 12.20 Volts when connected
I never removed the earth from the engine, simply disconnected the terminal end, cause the engine end was one big mother of a phillips head screw. :spit:

I have not attempted to turn the motor by hand but it was turning when i bolted the flywheel and clutch on

Steve

Edited by 73LJWhiteSL, 09 September 2007 - 10:30 PM.

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#4 rodomo

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Posted 09 September 2007 - 10:43 PM

With your volt meter across the battery, see what the voltage drops to when you turn the key.

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#5 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 09 September 2007 - 10:50 PM

I will give that a go tommorrow Rodomo.

Only thing i noticed, was the hand brake light didn't dim when the key was turned to start... I am sure it does normaly dim just briefly as the motor cranks over.

Steve

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#6 rodomo

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 12:14 AM

Only thing i noticed, was the hand brake light didn't dim when the key was turned to start... I am sure it does normaly dim just briefly as the motor cranks over.

That means the battery isn't being loaded up by the starter.
Give the starter body a couple of taps with a hammer, preferably while someone is turning the key.
If it has a bad connection inside, worn/stuck brushes, and starts to crank you will know it is a starter issue.
Boy was having trouble with the UC a few months ago and this method has fixed it so far (touch wood)

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#7 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 02:22 PM

Tried that. Dad hit the starter and I turned the key.

I am contemplating attempting to roll start the car, but all that confirms is the starter is busted. And i'm a little reluctant to roll start the motor specialy since I've just put new bearings in it.

Steve

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#8 surfmaster

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 04:17 PM

Are the battery terminals clean and tight?????

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#9 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 04:51 PM

Battery terminal are pretty grotty (battery acid) :rolleyes:

But I did spray them with WD40 when i put the battery back in. I will give cleaning them up a go.

Steve

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#10 surfmaster

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 04:53 PM

Take the leads off the battery clean the posts up and clean the inside of the leads and put them back on tight, it may not be your problem, (but could well be), they need doing anyway so it isnt going to hurt.

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#11 _Feigz_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 04:59 PM

Check all your wiring and connections to ensure they are clean and tight and there is no worn areas along the wires. The starter solenoid can be a pain as well, it sometimes pays to tap all along the case to break the contact. Also did you check the condition of the starter motor before you put it back in, ie was the gearing worn?

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#12 rodomo

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 06:32 PM

Have you tried jump starting it off another car?

Also, take the purple wire off the solenoid and with a screwdriver or something bridge the battery cable at the starter to the small terminal you took the purple wire off. This by-passes your ignition switch.

Some starters have 2 small terminals at the solenoid. Do you have your purple wire on the right one?

Edited by rodomo, 10 September 2007 - 06:33 PM.

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#13 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 06:48 PM

Starter motor is only 12 - 18 months old, last one died when I did the Celica conversion. For some reasons my car likes eatting starters... this will be #4 in 5 years... :furious:

I will try jump starting it off another car.

Rodomo... all the wires to the starter are black/dark looking

I have three loops that go on the starter terminal bolt and a single spade lug. There is only one spade terminal on the starter. There is a relay hanging on the firewall above the starter and some of the wires go up to that.

I stuck the multimetre accross the battery tonite and tried to start it. The voltage doesn't change from ~12.20 volts. Regardless of where the key is.

Starter comes out tonite if it won't start... :fool:

Steve

Edited by 73LJWhiteSL, 10 September 2007 - 06:54 PM.

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#14 rodomo

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 06:57 PM

Bridge it as described above before you pull it out.

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#15 _gstar_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 07:00 PM

solenoid repair kit around 20 bucks, and half an hour of your time. grab two and have a spare working solenoid ready for next time it goes.

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#16 _Wangman_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 08:04 PM

I had the same issue, i changed the battery and cleaned all the connections (they were all as greasy as fark!) so there was good contact. Kicked over fine. Hopefully it aint the starter i went through a coupl ein the space of 6 months

Edited by Wangman, 10 September 2007 - 08:06 PM.

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#17 _73LJWhiteSL_

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Posted 10 September 2007 - 09:42 PM

Thanks for all the replys guys.

I double checked my wiring, tested it all again. Its gotta be the damn starter motor.

I've waved the white flag and pulled it out... well that inlet/exhaust gasket had a long life. :cry: