Is it time for a new starter motor?

Hi

I have a starting problem with my Freelander 1 2.0 L-Series

For a while I had the intermediate clicking of the starter problem and after reading many threads on this forum I bought the repair kit off Fleabay consisting of a new plunger, 2 new contacts and a few odds and sods.

The thought of taking the starter off was actually far worse than the operation itself and fitting the parts was a doddle.

Anyway, a whole week passed and it started perfectly every time then..... nothing. By nothing I mean no clicking as before, just dead. I tapped the starter with a knuckle bar and she started straight up, great.

All was fine for 3 weeks after that incident before the fun started again. I was out one day and it started acting up and got harder and harder to start no matter the tapping, whacking and swearing. The next day I had the starter off again, cleaned the plunger, checked for any ingress of grit etc that might jam it (none), checked the contacts were seated flat, lightly greased the plunger and re-assembled. Great, started fine again.

10 days or so later, not starting again and not clicking either. I'm convinced it's something sticking and most times a whack with a broom handle or sometimes a knuckle bar will get it going. Occasionally it needs a second person to be turning the key whilst I'm whacking the starter. I can go for 2 or 3 days without problem then a day or two of this problem.

Does anyone have any advice for my new starter problem of "intermittant dead" as opposed to "clicking"?

I don't want an endless 10 day cycle of removing and refitting the starter and wonder whether to concede to a new starter for £108.

Many thanks

Solenoid sticking?

Can't really tell without looking at the starter but, the starter is two stage where the bendix turns slowly and engages with the ring gear, this is the first stage, then follows the second stage when full power is supplied to the starter. I would make sure the bendix is free on the starter shaft first as a sticking bendix will prevent the starter going into the second stage (banging the starter with something heavy often temporarily frees the bendix) if you're satisfied that the starter and solenoid are OK then I would suspect the ignition/starter switch.

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nickcc said:

Can't really tell without looking at the starter but, the starter is two stage where the bendix turns slowly and engages with the ring gear, this is the first stage, then follows the second stage when full power is supplied to the starter. I would make sure the bendix is free on the starter shaft first as a sticking bendix will prevent the starter going into the second stage (banging the starter with something heavy often temporarily frees the bendix) if you're satisfied that the starter and solenoid are OK then I would suspect the ignition/starter switch.

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Thanks for the reply.

I know from when I had the starter off last week the bendix moves freely and I also lightly greased the shaft while I was checking it. That said, I removed the starter whilst it was in working condition rather than stuck condition.

I suppose I've got to get the starter off whilst it's actually in non starting condition to suss this one and hope the process of removal doesn't free it if it's stuck.

If it's the ignition switch that wouldn't account for the starter working when I thump it though. Sometimes a light tap and it goes first turn of the key, other times it takes 10 or 15 minutes of whacking it.

Could be sticking brushes, dirty com or even a loose connection. If possible get the starter in a vice and power it up, may be easier to diagnose this way.