Hi everyone,
just joined the board, :slayer: I have been on here a few times to help out with a few issues with my girlfriends Stilo. So thanks to everyone for the work put into the guides etc. My girlfriends car is a 2001 1.2 5Dr Active.

Not long after we got the car, we started to have this problem when starting it, the only way I could describe this sound is like a "high pitch" screach or whine... I'm no mechanic but it sounds like something electrical or something... I have been talking it over with a few people and they have been suggesting the starter motor...

It will make this noise almost every time you go to start the car, hot or cold, the battery has been changed I think around christmas there just to add.

We are about to take the chance and remove the starter motor and take it down the road from where I live and have it reconditioned... guy said it can cost from £30-80 depending on what it all needs!

I just thought it to be wise to come on here and ask all you guys, what would you suggest? Oh n I was wondering could someone give me a few quick pointers on how to go about removing the starter motor... anything I need to be careful off... I've been told to insulate or wrap the wires that come off it to stop from shorting anything out...

Please guys and help here is much appreciated!
Many thanks in advance!
~Keith

I've got a look at the Fiat ELearn Disk for the stilo.... it makes it sound pretty easy to take it out.... Remove under engine guard... (missing anyway).... Disconnect the Negative battery terminal - disconnect the electrical connections from the starter motor... remove bolts 3a + 3b and there ya go... doesnt say anything about needing to be tiny to get your arms up to where they need to be.... I see the little black plastic holder that seems to have 3 wires running into it - the cap has been off and in around there looks pretty dirty.... thinking taking them out and give them a bit of a clean with maybe some sandpaper... what do you guys reckon the chances are that this could be the problem?

I can only see what looks like 1 of the bolts holding it on..... am I going to be finding the other one blind I take it? Its round the far side just to keep things interesting for me? lol

There's usually a long bolt coming in from the other side

Update - I took the electrical connections off and like I said they were really dirty n kinna corroded, I cleaned all them real well and sprayed some electrical contact cleaner on them... cleaned the battery terminals also... Connected everything back together.... it started there like 6-7 times in a row without the usual whine from it.... leaving it for a bit and going to try after this update...

What do you guys think... could this be a cure to the problem... bad earthing etc perhaps? Will try it again here... at the first sign I'm just gonna take my chances and take the starter out and take it to get reconditioned before the place closes today!

Just thought I'd ask you guys for your thoughts?

Deckchair5 said:

There's usually a long bolt coming in from the other side

Click to expand...

I can see from underneath... 1 bolt... just below where the 3 leads connect via the black plastic cover.... are you saying the other long bolt is coming from the opposite side? What I mean is

| |
| < ---- thats a bolt

so the other one is like so

| |
--> |

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

Yes that's usually the way they do it

Starter motors sometimes screech when they get dry with clutch dust. You can try it with it off the car, just connect positive and use a jump lead to connect to the starter motor case but beware as it will spark and will jolt fiercely with the torque of the motor starting. Best to put your foot on it

Deckchair5 said:

There's usually a long bolt coming in from the other side

Click to expand...

GOT IT!

See what you meant Deckchair5 - Mucho Respect! Had to take a little bracket off which was nicely hiding the bolt! Its in the shop now to see what is needed to bring it back to normal!

Keep ya's updated!

Got the starter back from the shop.... they said they could find nothing wrong with it... Said from what I've been telling them it could possibly be the pinion in the starter, but even from them testing it, they can find no fault with it! They greased it up, as they said also that it could have been the fact that it was dry from clutch dust etc. I've just put it all back in n the cars starts fine.

There has been 3 different guys, mechanics saying what has been going on - it sounds like the starter. :bang: Hopefully that greasing today will have cured it!

NEXT MISSION... Fit a new exhaust centre pipe n back box!
Least the girlfriend knows how to keep me busy huh! :worship:

OK... so the greasing n stuff hasn't helped... it done it again 3-4 times in a row there again tonight.... the car electrics shop said they couldn't find anything wrong with it... it doesn't look as though its been taken apart... I take it they've just been testing it similar to the way mentioned by Deckchair5 :chin: - is that a good enough inspection by them though?? Surely if the starter seems fine 9 times out of 10 (which I explained to the guys there)... I'm starting to think now, maybe it was just on its usually behaving itself streak... as some days its good... some days not... also though... could it be possible maybe there's a dodgy or worn part on the fly wheel? :chin:

Thinking of getting the car to replicate this scretching... then leave it like that and remove the starter and inspect it then?

Anyone any input or any advice to help me out here I'm gonna tear my hair out! lol :bang:

Ahhhh

PS: The screach I'm talking about is similar to - if you've ever heard someone who's forgot their engine is already running.... and turned the ignition again to start it.... that noise lol

The screach I'm talking about is similar to - if you've ever heard someone who's forgot their engine is already running.... and turned the ignition again to start it.... that noise

Ah That would most likely be a sticking starter solenoid which will give the same effect as not releasing the key from the start position

Deckchair5 said:

The screach I'm talking about is similar to - if you've ever heard someone who's forgot their engine is already running.... and turned the ignition again to start it.... that noise

Ah That would most likely be a sticking starter solenoid which will give the same effect as not releasing the key from the start position

Click to expand...

It makes that noise but doesnt start the car like....

Should I just take it back to that place and ask to have the solenoid replaced?

Thanks so much Deck mate - You've been patient with me all day asking about this! :worship:

The starter motor and starter solenoid are all contained within the one unit


Solenoid is at the top here so if it needs replacing then you usually replace the whole lot. If it makes that noise but doesn't turn the engine then some reason it is not engaging. and your troubles are either within that unit or you have a serious low electrical power issue. Turn your headlights on and see if they dim a lot when you turn the starter. I can't advise which problem you have without seeing and experiencing it

I'd be inclined to try a second hand unit as they are expensive and you are a master at how to remove and refit it now

Deckchair5 said:

The starter motor and starter solenoid are all contained within the one unit

Solenoid is at the top here so if it needs replacing then you usually replace the whole lot. If it makes that noise but doesn't turn the engine then some reason it is not engaging. and your troubles are either within that unit or you have a serious low electrical power issue. Turn your headlights on and see if they dim a lot when you turn the starter. I can't advise which problem you have without seeing and experiencing it

I'd be inclined to try a second hand unit as they are expensive and you are a master at how to remove and refit it now

Click to expand...

Thanks again DeckChair5 :worship:
I was thinking the same last night, :chin: about getting a second starter to try... I might record a video of the car making this noise but I bet today is one of the days it wont act up at all

I appreciate all the help n advice... I'll check the lights see what happens mate - I got myself a multimetre just a week or 2 ago... thought it be handy... Looks like I'll be getting a chance to try it out soon! lol!