Starter not working

v50t5sesport · Dec 12th, 2019, 14:30

My troublesome T5 is giving grief again. About 6 months ago the starter wouldn't work and I had to bump start it. When I stripped it down, the wire from the solenoid had corroded and dropped off. A replacement starter (second hand was obtained) and installed. All has been ok until last week, where it did the same again. Although this time after it was left for a couple of days worked. Same strip down again, this time all looked ok, but to be doubly sure stripped the motor down, and used the solenoid from the old unit (from 6 months ago). Checked it out with using jump leads directly connected to the motor (on the bench, and all worked ok). Put it back in the car, and all seemed ok yesterday. Went on a number of trips round. Today, no start. No click - just seems dead again. Any clues - relay or fuse somwhere that goes dicky ?

brutusmotorsport · Dec 12th, 2019, 16:08

just buy a new one. less hassle in long run. like yourself ive stripped starter motors many a time. but as a daily driver ive always fitted new.

v50t5sesport · Dec 12th, 2019, 16:17

I don't think the starters faulty this time, it spins when you apply power using jump leads

brutusmotorsport · Dec 12th, 2019, 16:41

if your connecting jump leads direct to the starter when already connected up to the battery in the car. not only will you do damage to the ecu. you will kill the starter. if it works on the bench and only sometimes in the car you more than likely have a charging issue or on the off chance an earth issue.

v50t5sesport · Dec 12th, 2019, 17:47

Tested it on the bench with a spare battery and jump leads. Worked ok yesterday (all day). Battery is charging fine, and its fairly new - Its not a flat battery

brutusmotorsport · Dec 12th, 2019, 17:49

could be earth issue to the starter or main battery lead itself.

v50t5sesport · Dec 12th, 2019, 19:04

Could the switch on the clutch pedal be faulty ? - It does say depress clutch if you don't press the clutch down, but could the ecu get that information and the switch still not work ?
A couple of times over the last few months, it hasn't started - then release the clutch and back down and it has.

v50t5sesport · Dec 13th, 2019, 10:04

AAAGGGG - Put my boiler suit on this morning to have another look. Started 1st time - no hesitation. Tried at least a couple of dozen times, no problem at all. Can only go places where I dont need to stop or on a hill !

v50t5sesport · Dec 15th, 2019, 19:52

Then later that night, no start, and no start since. I have been googling around, and I think it may be the ignition switch (Car is now nearly 13 years old with 148k) - Looks like a fairy common problem ??? - Anyone know how to confirm without buying a new switch ?

Dec 12th, 2019, 14:30	#1
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	Starter not working My troublesome T5 is giving grief again. About 6 months ago the starter wouldn't work and I had to bump start it. When I stripped it down, the wire from the solenoid had corroded and dropped off. A replacement starter (second hand was obtained) and installed. All has been ok until last week, where it did the same again. Although this time after it was left for a couple of days worked. Same strip down again, this time all looked ok, but to be doubly sure stripped the motor down, and used the solenoid from the old unit (from 6 months ago). Checked it out with using jump leads directly connected to the motor (on the bench, and all worked ok). Put it back in the car, and all seemed ok yesterday. Went on a number of trips round. Today, no start. No click - just seems dead again. Any clues - relay or fuse somwhere that goes dicky ?

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Dec 12th, 2019, 16:08	#2
brutusmotorsport Junior Member Last Online: Dec 23rd, 2023 10:45 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: guildford	just buy a new one. less hassle in long run. like yourself ive stripped starter motors many a time. but as a daily driver ive always fitted new.

Dec 12th, 2019, 16:17	#3
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	I don't think the starters faulty this time, it spins when you apply power using jump leads

Dec 12th, 2019, 16:41	#4
brutusmotorsport Junior Member Last Online: Dec 23rd, 2023 10:45 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: guildford	if your connecting jump leads direct to the starter when already connected up to the battery in the car. not only will you do damage to the ecu. you will kill the starter. if it works on the bench and only sometimes in the car you more than likely have a charging issue or on the off chance an earth issue.

Dec 12th, 2019, 17:47	#5
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	Tested it on the bench with a spare battery and jump leads. Worked ok yesterday (all day). Battery is charging fine, and its fairly new - Its not a flat battery

Dec 12th, 2019, 17:49	#6
brutusmotorsport Junior Member Last Online: Dec 23rd, 2023 10:45 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: guildford	could be earth issue to the starter or main battery lead itself.

Dec 12th, 2019, 19:04	#7
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	Could the switch on the clutch pedal be faulty ? - It does say depress clutch if you don't press the clutch down, but could the ecu get that information and the switch still not work ? A couple of times over the last few months, it hasn't started - then release the clutch and back down and it has.

Dec 13th, 2019, 10:04	#8
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	AAAGGGG - Put my boiler suit on this morning to have another look. Started 1st time - no hesitation. Tried at least a couple of dozen times, no problem at all. Can only go places where I dont need to stop or on a hill !

Dec 15th, 2019, 19:52	#9
v50t5sesport Junior Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2020 13:33 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Annes on sea	Then later that night, no start, and no start since. I have been googling around, and I think it may be the ignition switch (Car is now nearly 13 years old with 148k) - Looks like a fairy common problem ??? - Anyone know how to confirm without buying a new switch ?

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