starter motor problems

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318isturbo
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:23 am

ive put two starters on my car in two years now its gone again any reason why this keeps happening car has sat around for 8 months in my garage all it does now is make a loud ticking noise when i turn it over
aint the battery as lights dont dim and will push start first time

any ideas
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Lacy
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:36 pm

It might still be worth checking the battery to see what voltage you're dipping down to when operating the starter. I had a problem on mine where, if I switched the ignition on and started the car straight away there would be no problems but if I didn't start it straight after switching on the ignition, all I would get would be a loud clicking noise from the solenoid....not the repeated clicking one would normally associate with a nearly dead battery, just a single loud click.....and the lights didn't dim appreciably either.... I would then have to repeatedly turn the ignition off, then try and start it....it would usually start up after 8-10 attempts....I was almost certain it was a problem with either the starter motor, the solenoid or the immobiliser and was on the cusp of pulling it all out when the battery just died anyway and forced my hand. I replaced the battery and I have never once had the problem since.......strange huh?....it's, almost as if the solenoid is hyper sensitive to a low battery voltage.
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318isturbo
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:55 pm

sorted it you was right battery was dead due to alternator but now im not sure it is wired up properly as im only getting 13.17 on volt meter any pics out there to help
2_stroke
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:18 pm

i am getting about 13.7v from my alternator and that isnt a problem, i just been out and tested it for you, and i never have any problems

that voltage is with the engine running btw if you need any more advice just ask me cause ive had some right games with my alternator just recently so its relativly fresh in my mind :wink:
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