Starter motor clicking when trying to start

[mal fitz]

Looking for some help all

When trying to start car just get a clicking sound, 2 or 3 times but eventually starts. Seems to becoming more frequent.

Would appreciate any advice, new starter motor needed or other problem?

Thanks in advance

[72BLUE]

Looking for some help all

When trying to start car just get a clicking sound, 2 or 3 times but eventually starts. Seems to becoming more frequent.

Would appreciate any advice, new starter motor needed or other problem?

Thanks in advance

Have a read through this thread, it may provide an answer?

http://socforum.com/forum/showthread.php?24869-The-old-click-problem&highlight=Starter+motor+clicking

Keith

[wilf]

Sounds like "the click" - try a search here, some easy fixes.

[rac]

My suggestion.
Had the same problem until finally parked up one day and next day nothing at all. After the usual checks fuses etc suspected ignition switch so started tracing out with voltmeter and found was only getting 4 volts at the starter solenoid when key turned hmmm. Thinking praps inhibitor switch (auto box) checked there-12v both in and out-another hmm. Anyway traced wiring back into engine bay and found the multi plug at the back of the engine-spit this and found the pins/sockets green . Cleaned them up re connected and voila-been fine since-no more clicks (my big mouth)-worth a look I reckon.
Rob.

[jleyton]

Anyway traced wiring back into engine bay and found the multi plug at the back of the engine-spit this and found the pins/sockets green . Cleaned them up re connected and voila-been fine since-no more clicks (my big mouth)-worth a look I reckon.
Rob.

On an auto, these wires connect to the inhibitor switch. However, on a manual, they are simply connected to a short 'U' shaped link wire. When I had my gearbox out rcently, I removed the link wire and connected the White/Red wire directly, thus cutting out 2 old corrosion/resistance prone links and replacing with a good solid connection.

Cheers

Julian

[StagJonno]

The PO had fitted a relay, close to the starter solenoid - a well recognised mod to reduce the volt drop along the wire run from the ignition switch. Trying to start when leaving the hotel at the end of a holiday - nothing from the starter motor. Not having my meter with me, I called the RAC. He tracked it down to the earth connection for the relay. This was held under the relay mounting screw - a self-tapper that had become slack/ oversized hole. Reverted to "standard" arrangement, which got us home fine.

Jonno

[rac]

well a mod I have done is to splice a wire onto the solenoid and brought enough slack up to reach the battery then insulated the end and tucked neatly under the servo so by touching on the + of the battery it spins the starter motor--handy as well for checking plugs are sparking etc without someone having to turn the key. If it plays up again at least I can get it started from under the bonnet.

[Staggard]

Let us analyse this, if there is a click, what makes the click, the solenoid so we know its working. Inside the solenoid there is a copper plate that contacts with two copper contacts that transmits the live to the starter. When the contacts become burnt/corroded you just get a click and the starter does not operate. This I posted on page 3 "The real culprit for the Stag click" I also have pictures of a stripped down solenoid in my album. Fitting a relay in line between the ign switch and the starter solenoid is a good move because of the current draw but this only protects the contacts in the ign switch and will not cure the starter solenoid clicking long term. I have suggested that Russ (Kryten) could do a write up in the technical section but that is up to him. Graham

[Guest]

^^^^^^^ imagine how the forum would be without this sort of knowledge.

[V Mad]

So to sum up, the fault can lie in (a) the solenoid itself (contacts in poor condition) or (b) insufficient power is getting to the solenoid (faulty ignition switch, or connectors). No one has suggested (c) the starter motor yet.

To find out which, first eliminate (b). This can be done as already explained, by connecting a wire directly from the battery to the solenoid, or measuring that sufficient voltage is getting there. If that's OK then eliminate (c) by shorting between the two big terminals at the starter (battery to starter). If the starter does not 'jump' then the starter may be at fault, otherwise suspect the solenoid. Of course, this assumes the connections from battery to starter motor and earth are all good.

But please be careful when playing around with battery power; if you don't know what you are doing, don't do it.

[GDPR]

Whack the pix over in an email Graham - I'll see if I can string a few coherent words together - will I need to wear green overalls when I write it?

[edd]

Or by a power torque starter and save the heart ache 😃

[Tdm]

Or by a power torque starter and save the heart ache 

Some years ago I bought one from Rimmers, but that hasn't stopped the occasional problem starting, but this problem is not the dreaded "click" - but a lack of any kind of response whatsover when turning the ignition key.

I have mentioned this before (it only happens rarely) but my cure is to give the starter motor a short sharp tap with a crowbar, after which the car then starts normally.

[Staggard]

Some years ago I bought one from Rimmers, but that hasn't stopped the occasional problem starting, but this problem is not the dreaded "click" - but a lack of any kind of response whatsover when turning the ignition key.

I have mentioned this before (it only happens rarely) but my cure is to give the starter motor a short sharp tap with a crowbar, after which the car then starts normally.

A great idea Terry, I can think of a few other problems that could solve

[Motorsport Micky]

The power torque starters are an excuse to spend money, then after a couple of years again, and again.

They won't last as long as a standard motor , which has already lasts decades, you just need to sort out the corroded wires, spades and also solenoid as Graham has just posted. As you can see from the kits offered which offer a relay and good wiring miraculously a starter motor that won't work suddenly does, excellently.

Micky