CRS

Well-Known Member
My 11A has been getting harder and harder to start first thing, it’s got the original 2 and 1/4 petrol engine in, turning the key it’s just cranking to slow, sometimes you could hear a whining noise, I’ve checked all the leads, earths etc and all seems well, I’ve just put a new battery on and it’s still the same, hardly turning over at all now, am I looking at replacing the starter motor or is there anything else I can try, when it used to start after several attempts it would start all day easily but same problem again first thing in the morning, I even tried putting the stating handle in and turning the engine over a few times slowly to see if that helped before trying to start but nothing, it runs perfect once it’s started.
Thanks
chris.
 
Likely it is a starter motor issue given all else you have done, they do wear out.
 
I'd try taking the starter off, splitting it and cleaning it up inside.
Probably full of brush dust as least. The commutator might be a bit worn, certainly dirty and in need of a good clean. Might need new brushes
 
When you say checked all leads do you mean you have removed the all starter, battery and earth leads cleaned up the ends with emery until clean shiny metal including where the earths fix to body and engine.
getting cold now and engines will be turning over slower in the morning so agree with Kermit and check and clean starter too

have you measured voltage when charging and turning engine over
 
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If it's a fresh new fully charged battery, then something should be getting hot. Find that, there's your problem.
 
Thanks for replies, i will be looking at the starter as this seems to be the Most likely cause, I see on evil bay they are about £120 new, I think the seller has sold a lot of them as well.
Thanks
chris
 
Decided to buy another starter for a quick repair, that starter is only clicking when I turn the key not even turning over slowly, I have put power directly to the starter and nothing, looks like the starter they sent me is faulty, what are the chances.
 
Did you power the starter on the bench, with jump leads? Are you 100% sure the battery is good? What is the battery voltage when the starter is turning?
 
You do have to be careful checking cables, they can be completely shot underneath the insulation.
Take the starter off and test it on the bench, I had a refurbed starter which didn't work.
You don't have a starter button then? you could use jump leads to bypass the original wiring.
 
Ok just taken the new starter off and it spins on the bench so not faulty, new battery fitted as well, where should the earth strap from the battery be bolted, it’s bolted to the battery cradle at the moment, I put a jump lead from the battery Earth to a bolt and it started once but won’t do it again.
 
Ok just taken the new starter off and it spins on the bench so not faulty, new battery fitted as well, where should the earth strap from the battery be bolted, it’s bolted to the battery cradle at the moment, I put a jump lead from the battery Earth to a bolt and it started once but won’t do it again.
Can you put an earth lead onto the bolt where the started bolts to the bell housing?
 
Mine also had an earth strap near the starter going to the chassis. Can't remember if it went from the block or starter fixing bolt.
 
Mine has a lead from the starter to the chassis and another from battery/air filter cradle to battery
 
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