Defective Starter motor

[Richard]

During a service at my local LEX they told me that the "solanoid" on the starter motor is starting to stick and is basically dying. They quoted 175 pounds just for the part (regardless of labour).

That's very high - has anyone had any experience of replacing this ? Mine is a '95 1.6 Brava SX with 45k on the clock and whilst I had noticed a kind of screeching sound immediately after starting up the car, I'm in no hurry to shell out over 200 notes ...

 

[Nigel]

Price

The Fiat starter motor is between £140 and £180 depending on which one you have on your 1.6 (There are 4 different versions - need your chassis number to confirm)

However a new solenoid is only about £40 and is fairly straight forward to fit

Nige

 

[Dillinger]

Screeching

I have heard cars "screeching" on start up before.

I was told it was the fan belt needing replacement as its slipping.

I dont know how true this is, but may be worth a 2nd opinion.

Dill.

 

[Richard]

Solenoid

Hmm ... so in quoting me 175 quid for "a new solenoid" they are either (a) suggesting I fit a whole new starter motor (which could be considered as ripping me off) or (b) charging me 175 quid for something that actually costs 40 (which is definitely ripping me off). Time to find a new garage maybe ....

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Solenoid

Its rare that you will find a garage who would actually repair a starter motor. It would add an hours labour to the charge as well. Best off doing it yourself.

Nge

 

[Richard]

Solenoid

Unfortunately I'm a total amateur at fixing cars - but thanks for your comments anyway.

 

[gcol]

Re: Screeching

Usually when fan belt starts squeeling you can tighten it up on the adjuster quite simply. I can't quite remember cause it's a long time since i had to do it (and also i'm pissed) but i think that the alternator pivots on a sort of hinge - loosen the bolt, pull the alternator (to tighten the belt) then tighten bolt to lock into place. Then hopefully no more squeeling.
Regards

 

[gcol]

FAO Richard

Richard,
Having read your thread again. Don't change anything like the solenoid until it actually stops you from starting the car - if YOU haven't noticed anything wrong with it there's probably naff all wrong with it. The garage is probably quiet at the moment and are trying to drum up some business.
And remember, in every twenty mechanics, there's one good one, one honest one, ten bad ones and eight robbing bastards. If you can find a good, honest one - get your sister to marry him!
Regards,

 

[Dug]

Re: FAO Richard

If your solenoid is starting to stick, get it changed quickly! This problem started a fire on my MGB.

The starter circuit isn't fused (it has to draw too much current: it still isn't fused on a lot of modern cars). If the solenoid sticks, it can create a dead short, which will build up a lot of heat, and instantaneously flatten the battery. In my case, the body of the solenoid caught fire, fortunately I put it out pretty quickly.