Ford MK2 2ltr man: Starter moter advice

monkeydog · 17-06-2007, 08:25 PM

Hello, lately I've been having trouble starting the car, it seems that the starter moter had trouble cranking the engine (made a funny noise and didn't seem to crank the engine over, everything looked like it was slipping back).

Anyway, at the moment, it's not doing anything (not even making a clicking noise, just nothing) when I turn the ignition.
I have checked that the two leads to the solenoid on the starter are getting 6v, and I also took my battery to supercheap for a free diagnosis and it scored 100%.

After some advice on what I should do. Is there another lead I should check?
The starter doesn't look too hard to get out from what I can tell (am I mistaken?), If I do this (is it advised), is there further common diagnosis I can do on it?

If It is the starter, what are my chances on getting a replacement? Are there any other types that can go in? Is reconditioning a valid option?

Thanks for the time,
look forward to your opinions,
- James.

(This is something i'd like sorted out pretty soon)

JamesR · 17-06-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeydog

Hello, lately I've been having trouble starting the car, it seems that the starter moter had trouble cranking the engine (made a funny noise and didn't seem to crank the engine over, everything looked like it was slipping back).

Anyway, at the moment, it's not doing anything (not even making a clicking noise, just nothing) when I turn the ignition.
I have checked that the two leads to the solenoid on the starter are getting 6v, and I also took my battery to supercheap for a free diagnosis and it scored 100%.

After some advice on what I should do. Is there another lead I should check?
The starter doesn't look too hard to get out from what I can tell (am I mistaken?), If I do this (is it advised), is there further common diagnosis I can do on it?

If It is the starter, what are my chances on getting a replacement? Are there any other types that can go in? Is reconditioning a valid option?

Thanks for the time,
look forward to your opinions,
- James.

(This is something i'd like sorted out pretty soon)

i have EXACTLY the same problem.
im going to see if i can get a late model falcon starter modified to suit, or just get my starter reco'ed.
depending what starter you have, depends how easy/hard it will come out.
mine was out of a cortina, which is a bit longer, and it is a massive pain in the ***.i had to lift the engine, and take out engine mount.

whooligan · 18-06-2007, 09:23 AM

You should be able to pick up a second hand starter from your local wreckers for under $50. Worse case senario, looking at about $150 to get yours rebuilt....If you don't have $150 and you live in the SE suburbs, give me a call. I have one on the floor of my office which someone never picked up. you can have it for $75.

Glenn 0401 881 375

Generally, if you get a clicking noise its the main feed from that battery as that noise is the solonoid enguaging. Low cranking is the battery (discounted) so its not that. If you've got a battery jump starter, wack that on, even though your battery checks out. That little bit of extra juice is sometimes all it needs.
On very rare occasions the solonoid gets jambed. you have to give it a little jog, by putting it in gear and rocking the car back and forward. Some people use a block of wood and give it a wack but to be honest, its never worked for me.

monkeydog · 18-06-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks guys,
Here's where I'm at:
Turning on the ignition results in no noises/events.
Testing the two cables that connect to the spades on the solenoid whilts turning the ignition shows 6volts.
I have tried a bit more starting power by hooking it up to dad's car's battery in a jumpstarting manner.

Is there three or four bolts holding the starter in?
Does the starter come straight out, or does oil need to be drained first so it doesn't gush out (from what i've read i'll assume it doesn't).

I've had a read on starters and it doesn't look too bad to do a bit of service on myself.

whooligan: Do you know any places off the top of your head for starttermotor reconditioning, and also how long it would take on average?

Thanks again,
James

JamesR · 18-06-2007, 03:10 PM

just 3 bolts, there should be no oil when it comes out, if there is, id probably be worried.

just dropped mine off at a local auto electrician.

monkeydog · 18-06-2007, 05:13 PM

I'm thinking of ringing RACV (and using my membership), they will come fit a (working) one free and I pay for the starter, so long as they have one, and it is the problem.

whooligan · 18-06-2007, 06:59 PM

If you have RACV membership, make them come out....They charge enough, they might as well earn it.

It should take no more than half an hour to replace the starter....I can do it in 10 minutes (after 15 years working on Pintos)

Cologne Ghia · 18-06-2007, 09:19 PM

clicking starter: check the thick red lead to the solonoid - these can sometimes become loose from the inside - yet the nut appears tight

(if it was an auto, id be checking the inhibitor switch on the gearbox)

monkeydog · 23-06-2007, 09:17 PM

Update:
Thanks to whooligan who got me onto yesterford; Picked up a reconditioned starter motor for $125 trading in my current starter (put a $25 deposit it on it so I can take it back at a later date).

Was lucky enough to borrow some ramps of my friend Daniel (dbarkho) which made things an estimated 128% easier.

New starter in, kernel starts fine; a wash at the local carwash to celibrate.

JamesR · 24-06-2007, 01:03 AM

i got my starter recoed for 138$.
apparently the housing was stuffed, so the guy used a housing from a falcon V8, which has bigger/thicker copper windings? or something.. he thinks it might give it a bit more kick..

monkeydog · 24-06-2007, 11:51 AM

Up and running?

I had a play with my old one to see why it wasn't working, it's was shooting the cog thing out, but the motor wouldn't spin it, and also the cog was getting stuck and not retracting back into place.

fpv_escort · 24-06-2007, 12:29 PM

my brothers rs2000, the starter motor shat itself, wouldnt even turn over or make a noise.

we ended up getting that rebilt and now it starts first time every time

JamesR · 24-06-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeydog

Up and running?

I had a play with my old one to see why it wasn't working, it's was shooting the cog thing out, but the motor wouldn't spin it, and also the cog was getting stuck and not retracting back into place.

i wish..
still might be a little while before i can try to start it..

its already been a few months since driving it :(