Starter motor failure?

[Boomy]

Was just off out for a blat, hit the start button and it just made a noise similar to what it normaly does when it starts but louder and with a more grinding type edge to it.

It didn't fire or turn the engine at all, just made a horrible noise.

I also appear to have a red light on on the dashboard now but have no idea what it is.

I should of got an astra or something really shouldn't i?

[MAT1800]

Boomy,

(word of warning, I'm a mechanical novice)

I had a problem with my starter motor, it was permanently engaged with the fly wheel even when the engine was running, I didn't realise, although it sounded as you describe.

In the end it 'melted' the starter motor. Because my car was new and still under waranty WF would have replace it FOC, however I had stripped it to see what was the cause and this invalidated the waranty from WF's supplier.

So DONT dismantle it 'cos the same is probably true for any 'exchange' and also if your is under waranty.

Can't help with the cause tho sorry.

Mat.

[Blatman]

Red light is probably the alternator light, and it was probaby always there.

Sounds like the pinion gear on the starter may be stuck. The gear is not engaging the flywheel, but grinding it's teeth...

Starter off/out.

Clean pinion gear shaft, using some fine wet 'n' dry and WD40.

When it's *clean*, re-fit.

Test...

[Boomy]

Thanks for the replys, i did search btw but didn't see anything related exactly to my problem.

Now, if someone can just pop over and point to the starter motor i will get the spanners out

[MAT1800]

Thanks for the replys, i did search btw but didn't see anything related exactly to my problem.

Now, if someone can just pop over and point to the starter motor i will get the spanners out

     

It's the little thing under the big thing.

Here to Help.

Mat.

[Boomy]

A job for the weekend i feel and i found the starter motor btw

It's just got me worried now as i am wondering if it something i have done when i removed the dashboard.

It's fair to say it's probably not the best wiring job i have ever seen on a car behind all that.

Various dead ends and a mixture of colours etc it's almost impossible to tell what goes where!

Maybe a winter project that one to rewire it all.

As for the red light on the dash, how many wires should be connected to the alternator?

After you suggested the red light was for the alternator, i remembered after the cars last blat that out of two wires only one was connected to it.The other looked like it had simply split from the connector and was hanging off, so i replaced the clip and put it back on assuming it was another one of the things that can work its way loose.

If i remove that wire, the light goes off, put it back on, the light comes on again.I have never seen the light on before, it sits right in front of me behind the steering wheel and would light up like an Xmas tree at night!

I guess what i am trying to say is, do you think the light would of always been on but hasn't due to only 1 wire being attatched?.

Only if you suggest it must have 2 wires, then there has to be a reason the light is now on, unless that is related to the starter motor?

You can find out the answers to all these questions in the next edition of soap

[Blatman]

Sounds like you have successfully repaired the alternator lamp.

However, alternators don't like running with the lamps disconnected as this is one of the ways they sense what voltage is being generated. Without a way to check voltage, they are free to over generate, or under generate at their leisure. Under generation is OK save for potential flat battery issues. Over generation will ******* the alternator. A shagged alternator will result in the light being on all the time...

[MAT1800]

Eh ?

Well, I would advise the best method of 'suck it and see'

Stick the wire  on, see if it all works, that's how I got through most of my build.

Mat.

[Boomy]

Oh, so i may possibly have a shagged alternator too if the light is correct!

I guess the course of action will be to remove the starter motor (it looks very old btw!, have a fiddle, replace it and see what happens.

If it still won't start i assume a new starter motor and then worry about my red lamp after that is replaced.

Not sure if it is worth mentioning btw, but the car has never had any flat battery problems etc and even now the fan, lights and anything else electrical work just as they should.

[Blatman]

You may find that the alternator and starter are directly connected. It's *just* possible that the starter has failed so the alternator is now not seeing the voltage required to put the lamp out.

FWIW, on my BMW motorbike a failing starter will illuminate the battery light because of the way the circuits are wired...