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My starter motor is fine when cold, but sometimes lacks power when hot - especially if the radiator cooling fans have been running. I supect that the starter electics are becoming heat-sensitive through age. Has anyone else experienced this problem, and has anyone had expereince of replacement hight-torque starter motors?

Sounds like it might be a different problem to the one I experienced but I had a lot of trouble with the solenoid failing to engage the motor drive. I don't know what model you have but on mine it is a combined motor/solenoid unit and therefore a pig to access/remove. It originally happened when the engine was usually hot but then frequently at other times. It had already been replaced by the previous owner so I took it back to the garage he used as it was under warranty. After 3 months of all sorts of testing, trail & error, etc. they thought they'd got the right solenoid but it failed again a few months later. I gave up with this garage & bought a second hand unit from JagSpares, had it reconditioned by a local company then fitted by a "good old boy" in his garage in his garden who I'm fortunate to have just up the road. Sill working well 6 months later.

John,

I fitted the high torque starter motor to my S1 about 4 years ago and have never had a problem with it. I got mine direct from the States for around £70, if I had to pay the prices here I would seriously have to think it about before shelling out around £200.

Dave

Thanks for the advice. Once I have fixed the rust on the Mini and the rattling timing chain on the MG TC I will start on the E-Type starter motor! (It is a Series 1.5 with the solenoid piggy-backed on the motor.) I suspect it is the solenoid but I always like to confirm before I change things.

Good morning.

I think i have problem with my starter motor. Is there any way i can check the effciacy of the unit. Before i get it taken out and replaced.

And the answer is - yes i am a luddite as far as car engines are concerned! But i do want to learn.

For instance is there some form of hand held tester i could buy to see if the various items - starter motor - alternator - battery etc work?

Any help much appreciated. PJ

Paul,

Starter motors usually work or they don't its as simple as that. You could have worn brushes or the commutator the copper ring that the brushes run on. The carbon from the brushes sometimes blocks up the void between the segments of the commutator which can cause problems.

You don't say what model you have if its a late 3.8 or 4.2 than its a hell of a lot easier to remove than mine since you will have a flap you can open to gain access on the drivers side of the tunnel.

The Bendix can also get dirty this is the gear that spins out and and engages the flywheel to start the car however you need to remove the motor to clean it.
You clean it petrol or similar but once you get problems it will eventually get worse.
Once you have it out it would be best to change it for a recon unit or high torque starter motor.
There is a guy at Stoneleigh who does recon units just bring yours along and he will change it on the spot.

You can use an electrical multi meter to check the motor but you need to be able to understand what it is telling you.

Dave

Dave K

Thanks for this. The model is S1.5 and a 4.2 ltr. I will look into the multi meter and have a poke arround under the bonnet.

ATB PJ

Paul,

Starter motors usually work or they don't its as simple as that. You could have worn brushes or the commutator the copper ring that the brushes run on. The carbon from the brushes sometimes blocks up the void between the segments of the commutator which can cause problems.

You don't say what model you have if its a late 3.8 or 4.2 than its a hell of a lot easier to remove than mine since you will have a flap you can open to gain access on the drivers side of the tunnel.

The Bendix can also get dirty this is the gear that spins out and and engages the flywheel to start the car however you need to remove the motor to clean it.
You clean it petrol or similar but once you get problems it will eventually get worse.
Once you have it out it would be best to change it for a recon unit or high torque starter motor.
There is a guy at Stoneleigh who does recon units just bring yours along and he will change it on the spot.

You can use an electrical multi meter to check the motor but you need to be able to understand what it is telling you.

Dave

With reference to my original post, I have now (finally) got around to fitting a high-torque starter motor (Powerlite). Purists might not like the sound (a bit like a small jet engine!), but it seems to have cured the hot starter motor failure problem, and the engine starts much more quickly under all circumstances. I will now investigate the workings of the old motor and see if I can find the source of the problem.