starter motor

2.4TE · Post by **2.4TE** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:11 am

About 16 months ago, the starter on my 911 packed up. I bought a replacement (‘rebuilt Bosch’) one from Euro Car parts. It had a one-year guarantee. 11 months later, it too gave up, but they graciously replaced it under warranty. Four months later, I’m getting the same symptom: when I turn the key just a click. If I hold the key as though to keep turning over the starter, I get a rapid fire of clicks.

Can anyone advise me if it really is the starter motor and the Euro Car parts rebuilt ones are bogus, or have I got a different problem? If it’s the starter, where should I go for a better quality one? Has anyone tried the lightweight ones that I think Autofarm sell?

Many thanks.

Luke · Post by **Luke** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:21 am

sounds like the solenoid is fine, but I'd check the earth on the starter, its the easiest thing to check and is often the cuase of starter motor woes.

I have a lightweight starter, not from autofarm but it's the same one, works very well, even with my tiddly gel battery, makes a kinda race race noise too which is nice!

2.4TE · Post by **2.4TE** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:18 pm

Luke- where did you buy your starter from?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 1:21 pm

My money would be an engine earth problem.

To check: put a voltmeter (set to DV volts) from the car body (a known good earth) to a clean bit of the engine. Get helful helper to crank the engine. If you get more than .1 / .2 of a volt, your earth isn't good enough. If that's the case, I often keep the original earth lead, and add a second one.

Oh yes, don't forget: main battery connections and lead at the battery(s), plus the main powerlead to the starter. Do the earths first though: its a nice instant, clean (free!) check.

Luke · Post by **Luke** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:26 pm

my starter was bought from a DDK member, he bought it from Autofarm but didn't use it, so in fact I lied, it is from Autofarm!

2.4TE · Post by **2.4TE** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:56 pm

Thanks guys. The background is that I've just taken several weeks to replace the gearchange linkage bushes (for other non-car related reasons), and gave myself a hearty pat on the back after noticing how much improvement there was in the feel of the shift until I decided I'd better drive it for a real test and the blasted thing wouldn't start. Like most of us, I lay it up over the winter and am just not ready to do so yet- want to drive it before the roads get salted!