General Speedometer and Starter Motor Problems

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General Speedometer and Starter Motor Problems

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Hello guys,

I have done a search on this and got similar answers, but not quite what I was looking for. I hope you do not mind me making a new post. I drive a Punto mk1 55S (1996).

Basically, two problems. One is the speedometer. It works fine when I first start the car and drive off. Then, occasionally, the dial flips all the way to 130 MPH (can't complain really, it shows my Punto doing 0-130 in 0.5 seconds), and then settles back to 23 MPH and sticks there. Usually, it sorts itself after a while but I can force it to sort itself by slapping the dashboard hard above the instruments. When I do this, the speedo ramps back up to 130, and then settles to my actual speed. This can take a few slaps to achieve though. Also, it is temperature dependant. If the car is already hot, or the weather is hot, it does not happen. Very, very rarely, the needle goes up to 130MPH and gets stuck there, and the mileage meter turns quickly. Any ideas on that?

And now, the slipping starter motor. This fault NEVER happens when the engine is cold. However, if the engine is still warm when I come to restart it, occasionally the starter motor slips. You can hear it turning but not the engine. Is the starter clutch part of the engine block, starter motor, or completely separate, and how much does this fault usually cost to put right?

Thanks guys,

Mike
 
Reading around, it looks like the speedometer and odometer can be removed and replaced, which should be easy enough. How about changing the mileage on the new speedometer to match the actual mileage the car has done. Is that easy enough?

As for the starter clutch, I still am none the wiser after consulting the Haynes Manual. I sure hope it is not in the engine block itself.
 
Hi mate,

Altering the miliage is fairly straight forward.

As for the starter motor, it sounds like the solenoid is sticking. it may simply require re greasing as they can sometimes stick. It sounds from your description like the starter motor itself is functioning fine. It normally happens when warm because the metal expands and everything gets a bit tighter meaning that if its prone to sticking, it will stick when warm. for a decent garage it should only be around an hours labour and no cost for parts if it just need greasing. If you need a new starter motor, then your best bet is getting one from a scrap yard and getting the garage to fit it, as they are considerably cheaper than a new one. £25 to £30.

Hope that helps,
Alan
 
Alan, thanks for that, the more I read into it, the more I suspected the solenoid of sticking. Just recently, it looks like it has been sticking in the 'engaged' position after the engine has started. I heard a grizzly whine for a few seconds after starting (again when warm). I assume this to be that the solenoid has stuck, and the pinion is still in contact with the flywheel.

Thanks for the reassurance on the speedometer mileage too. I may actually get that done tomorrow along with the rear arm. I cannot complain really. I do plenty of miles and don't invest much in the car at all. Just keeps rolling!
 
Looks like replacing the speedometer is not that difficult. I will try to pick one up and fix that myself. Will just have to make a note that the mileage is not genuine, and keep the old speedometer as proof. In fact, I could have the new speedometer clocked forward to match.
 
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