Starter seems lazy when cold but after running the engine for a bit to wrm it up the bloody thing acts like the battery is flat and just barely turns at all .  Does the starer motor earth through it's fixings or does it have an earth lead?  I was thinking that if it has an earth lead then maybe I could bypass this with a jump lead to the frame to rule out a bad earth?

So the starter solenoid then, should I be seeing half a meg accross the output posts?  internal coil seems to be okay but when starting battery voltage drops away.  I ve fitted a new battery and the alternator stator passes resistance tests. batery voltage rises with revs and regulator seems to kick in.  Im guessing outlandish current drain when trying to start and believe the starter motor to be shagged but am hoping it's simpler than that.  I dont have an ameter that can go high enough to read the charging current but the rising voltage is encouraging - isnt it?  What do you think?

Checked the solenoid whle thumbing the button and I dont seem to be getting any volts dropped across that so Im happy the solenoid is okay.

Can't help - no commas  






The coil should have very little resistance, it's just a length of wire. You should see a very high resistance across the 'heavy' terminals until you thumb the button, then it should be negligable as the coil kicks in and thumps the plunger up to make the connection.

The only starters I've ever seen are bolted straight to the engine case, no flying earth lead. Unless there's corrosion in there (doubtful) I wouldn't think it was an earth problem.

Motor off and stripped I reckon. There's usually only two long screws hold them together, then you can check the brushes and the comm ring. Mark the outer drum against the end plate with the mounting lugs, 'cos if you put it back 180 degrees out the motor spins backwards  :verysad:

Bit pissed, sorry.


So if the solenoid passes the tests, and when you thumb the button the voltage collapses but the starter doesn't spin, then it's either the starter clutch is shagged (motor spins but doesn't turn the engine) or the starter motor itself doesn't turn - it's knacked.

Try cleaning/replacing the brushes and give the comm ring a rubbing with fine emery.

Something for the weekend, so to speak!
cheers fast fitter.