Starter Motor Problem?

[riverstar]

After a recent partial melt down due to a short I have had a new loom and solenoid fitted and for a week everything was fine until yesterday.

 

When I tried to start the car the engine started to turn but then stopped with a clicking noise which I assumed to be a low battery or bad connections, the battery was fully charged and after checking all connections including the earth strap the car started without any problems and off I went. During the day I must have stopped and started the car at least fifteen times without and problems however after parking up overnight in the garage the same thing is happening this morning the car starts to turn then just clicking from the starter motor.

 

I am assuming it is a problem with the motor which is a relativity new high torque one which was a bugger to fit due to my exhaust system, currently it seems one thing after another

 

Any suggestions what to do next?

 

Chris

[ctc77965o]

try another battery

[boxofbits]

Hi Chris

 

Not sure if you meant the battery was checked and was fully charged, or you charged it.

 

Before you start it again, check the battery with a voltmeter to see if the charge has dropped. Also before you start, turn on the headlights and crank the engine. If the lights virtually go out, then it's most likely the battery. If the lights do not dim when you try to start, then there is no current being drawn by the starter. Test battery, then starter, then solenoid, then Ignition switch.

 

Regards

 

Kevin

[riverstar]

The battery is showing a healthy 12.37 volts but the headlights do go out when I try to crank the engine

[Geko]

Alternator is not charging enough.

[riverstar]

I think the battery is shot probably caused during the short Although it shows a healthy charge when I try and turn the car over it drops to 2.6 volts which suggests to me that it is not producing sufficient amps

[boxofbits]

Hi Chris

 

It would seem to me that something is drawing down a lot of current when you turn the key. If you disconnect the starter do you get the same effect?

 

Without the benefit of being able to look at the car, it could be your starter has a short circuit, perhaps the solenoid but less likely. Is the engine tight for any reason, and does it spin nicely with the plugs out?

[riverstar]

Kevin

 

As I mentioned before there have been no issues with starting until now and the engine turns freely, the battery is fully charged according to my multi meter and powers all the lights without any problem it just doesn't seem to have enough guts to turn the starter over and drops to under 3 volts when I try, that's why I suspect its shot and I will need to replace it

[boxofbits]

Well it's probably the first thing to go for in that case. I have known a battery go from good to completely dead overnight before now.

[riverstar]

Quick trim to Halfords and a flash of the credit card and problems solved

[RogerH]

Hi Chris,

good result.

The starter takes such a large current draw that it will show up any problem inside the battery.

 

It's on the road - the sun is shining - get out there and smile

 

Roger