Struggling starter motor

Post Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:39 pm

Over the last week my touring (M44 with M20 starter) has had a struggle turning over, usually when cold/left for few hours. It sounds like the starter motor is struggling or just being lazy.

I have no idea how old or what condition the battery is in, so as I treated my 325i to a new battery on Saturday I tried the new battery in my touring and it still struggles to turn over (it starts the 325i fine).

Any ideas?

Cheers

Post Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:49 pm

Start the car a couple of times, then stop it and check, with a finger, all the connections between the battery and the starter motor, including the earth return (both ends of the engine to body strap, etc.) If any feel hot, undo, clean, and remake them.
If nothing is hot, then start thinking about a new motor. The starter motor is effectively two motors working together, and oner half can fail, leaving a weak motor.

Post Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:28 pm

Thanks Brian, I'll check that out when I get 5mins in the daylight.
Would engine temperature have any effect? I only ask as when its warm the starter spins up lovely.

Post Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:51 pm

I've cleaned and remade all the connections and the problem is still there, so it looks like a new starter is needed.

One odd thing but I left the car unused for a few days and started it yesterday. It was a warm day and the car had been in the sun all day and it started first turn. Tried to go home yesterday night (it was much colder outside) and it only just started and idled like a bag of nails until it warmed up (first time it's idled badly). Thinking back, I've realised the problem is only there when the air temp is cold.

Again today it's fairly warm outside and it has started with ease and idled fine.