Starter Motor Problem

[Phil N]

I also had issues yesterday both at home and on the run I wasn't able to start the car without a push which I was fine with but the 'pushee's' weren't.

The day i got the car it was fine, the next time I started the car it was as if the starter didn't disengage and continued for about 30 seconds, which is a long time when you think somethings gonna blow!

Since then it's been okay but yesterday when i turned the key there was just a 'click' which I thought at first it's because it's been sat around for a couple of weeks. The battery light isn't coming on at all so I don't think it is the battery or alternator, also it was fine running the lights all day yesterday and the er... er... heater (purely for test reasons).

So I reckon its the starter motor, this was brand new when the car was built and has only done 1800 miles so could it be 'sticking' from lack of use and can this be fixed or do i chuck it away and buy a new one?

[Matth93]

Is your battery charging as with most alternators they need the battery light circuit to work to excite them and start the charging. If you say your not getting any battery light it may not be working

[Martin S]

Had a lot of starter issues. If you need to get a nee one i recommend you get it heat wrapped and also have a heat shield installed

[Phil N]

Had a lot of starter issues. If you need to get a nee one i recommend you get it heat wrapped and also have a heat shield installed

Yeah I think that is a common problem with the zetec's on RWD, mine is virtually touching the exhaust!

[Phil N]

Used the magic hammer a few times and the starter sprung into life and the car started. I then stopped the engine and tried again, nothing the first two times and then turned over on the third and started. I'm guessing the starter is sticking, probably through lack of use in the last 3 years? Does anyone have any experience in this and is this something that can be removed, greased and replaced?

[greenwoo]

right i'll shout and then wait to get flamed by those with more knowledge....
can't you take it out, and then connect it direct on/off to a battery and then perhaps wd40 it to see if its moving freely - then chuck a bit of grease on the shaft as it extends?

[Jay]

then chuck a bit of grease on the shaft as it extends?

Think this is the wrong forum to talk about your medical issues with the old chap Mark. But each to there own.

[DJ.]

I had very similar problems with our Berlingo starter, tried taking it apart a couple of times and all was well, but it always went back to sticking. In the end I put the part number into ebay, and got a reconditioned one for £35 delivered. It has been fine for 3 years, if I'd known how cheap they were I would never have bothered trying to fix it.

[Phil N]

right i'll shout and then wait to get flamed by those with more knowledge....
can't you take it out, and then connect it direct on/off to a battery and then perhaps wd40 it to see if its moving freely - then chuck a bit of grease on the shaft as it extends?

I did see a video on you tube which showed this so I think I may try that and see what happens.

I had very similar problems with our Berlingo starter, tried taking it apart a couple of times and all was well, but it always went back to sticking. In the end I put the part number into ebay, and got a reconditioned one for £35 delivered. It has been fine for 3 years, if I'd known how cheap they were I would never have bothered trying to fix it.

Under normal circumstances I think I would just go down this route but its had so little use and would like to give fixing it a chance, if I grease it once and it does it again it'll be going straight in the bin though!

[b33fy]

Don't go too mad with the grease though Phil, otherwise you may end up with more poop sticking to your shaft.