Click when trying to start motor..

Ballistix

Ballistix

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Feb 2008
Messages
1,046
Location
Oxfordshire
www.cinematreadwell.com
Hi all, my instincts tell me solonoid sticking. If I keep trying eventually, sometimes on the second/third time the engine turns and fires up immediately.

I was going to just check the cables and so on and then potentially remove the starter with solonoid and take a shifty...hopefully not too much of a pain on the 5.7L EFI Merc. Anyone know if the starter is a pain to remove or not? Don't want to start this job Friday unless I know I can complete it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

T
 
Can't advise about difficulty in removing but to me it sounds like one or more segments of the commutator are faulty or dirty. You are most likely going to need a replascement starter or have your one rebuilt. It is just possible that brushes could be the cause of the problem but if they are then they are likely to have in turn damaged the commutator. Sorry to be the bearer of possibly bad news but for reliability a replacement/rebuilt unit is the way to go.
 
But if it's clicking, it's not sticking? So starter motor is duff?

Is the motor drawing current? Eg do the lights go a bit dim when the solenoid engages?
 
[ QUOTE ]
But if it's clicking, it's not sticking? So starter motor is duff?

Is the motor drawing current? Eg do the lights go a bit dim when the solenoid engages?

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine clicked as though it was spinning, but wouldnt start the engine. All kinds of responses regarding removing and rebuilding starter motor, but someone suggested checking battery voltage.

BINGO!

Popped a new battery in, and away it went.
 
Batteries are fine, I've charged them before putting them in. It "could" be I guess but one is brand new! The lights do dim a little if I recall too to answer that one jfm and hlb I will for sure check the cables I think that is an excellent point, I put them back in so I'll double check!

Cheers
T
 
From my experience, it's nearly always a bad conection. We've got a lawn tractor thats been doing the same thing for years. Mind we once had a transit van that kept flattening batteries because of the alternator bearings.
 
Your symptoms are identical to mine when I get a duff slave solenoid.

First, check all contacts.

If they're ok, second favourite is the slave solenoid - on my Merc. V8s, mounted high on a bracket at the front of the engine - easy to get at and change. (About £15 IIRC).

Can easily be tested by removing it from the circuit with a short length of cable whilst someone cranks the motor (but be careful!).

Hang on a mo - I'll try to find a picture.........
 
The only conclusion of this, is power is not getting to where it's needed, or when there, it's doing no good. Or some times doing no good. There are several different ways of solving this. One is check for loose nuts. Course tuther way is, start at all the expencive bits, like new starter motors. Course by doing that, you might just have mended the bad conection on the old starter motor, there by justifying the expence.

If it is the starter motor, take it to a little local guy, who will mend it good as new.
 
Just had similar on my rib. I swapped batteries to test them and then used a jump lead direct from battery to engine terminal. It then started. Bad copnnection somewhere by isolator switch.
Double check batteries with a volt meter and bypass any connections if poss.
 
I had this problem on a 5.7 merc carbed engine,it was the starter motor,cost a bout £170 takes about an hour to do but you have to be made out of rubber,also remember to disconnect the battery to the starter before doing,mine used to give the dead mans click and took about 10 to 20 attempts to start,once the motor was changed no problems,(not teaching you how to suck eggs but dont buy an automotive one as they are not ignition protected)
have fun.

ash
 
Went through all of the recommendations. Couldn't fix it. Took the distributor lead off and just turned a for 10 seconds for a couple of minutes to clean up the bushes...it's better but still does it occasionally. Then try to get the starter motor off...oh dear...not easy and worse one of the bolts is nurdled from someone before...looks like it might be engies out at the end of the season then.. :S

T
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top