Technical Possible starter failure?

[karm4]

Hi, thanks in advance if you have any advice, and sorry for the long thread. [emoji5]

I've done a lot of reading and eventual booked my girlfriend's 2011 1.2 Panda in for the starter to be replaced, I'd just like to make sure I've covered everything before I pay a professional. I try my hardest to do everything myself but I'm an average DIY bolt it on yourself guy [emoji12]

I did try and get the starter off but I couldn't get to the top bolt and I'm not qualified to start dismantling the engine.


I've sure the immobiliser isn't at fault, the light goes off on the dash, and she has both the keys, tested both. (But I didn't try and smack under the passenger side dash)

I've been and brought a brand new battery.

I've checked to see if the ground is ok, I did it the fun way by testing live to live on the engine and there's a good spark. (Also tried the conventional way.)

I did manage to get it start after trying to start it with the key turned going at low speed to jolt the starter, (literally just let the hand brake off with key engaged while in gear), and I got a reaction. I then just tried to start as normal and it started. I tried it a couple more times and it was still starting but then went dead again

That has lead me to believe the motor on the starter has failed, but maybe not solenoid.

Is there anything else I could have missed?

Again, thanks in advance. [emoji4]

 

[DaveMcT]

Connect a jump lead between battery earth (-ve) and engine block. If starter now works normally, you need a new earth from battery to chassis and engine.

If this does not work, connect a positive jump lead to the battery (+ve) and touch the other end to the starter power terminal. If it turns, your starter motor is fine.

 

[karm4]

Like I say it seems to be grounding fine.

I can't physically get to the starter terminal, is there anywhere else I can test it from?

 

[koalar]

First off turn the key firmly all the way round then very very slowly release the pressure. I have two Pandas both have a dead zone on the ignition switch

There's a metal bracket on top of the gearbox. Jump lead from here to the negative "-" terminal of the battery will eliminate the engine earth. You can use any clean metal on the engine or gearbox you can get to


Are you aware that the two bolts holding the starter motor in are on opposite sides


if you are near Cheshire I have a spare starter you can try. Its done 200000 miles and I wouldn't leave it in but its okay for testing

 

[karm4]

Sorry for the later reply.

It seems to be starting fine now, any ideas?

 

[koalar]

Sorry for the later reply.

It seems to be starting fine now, any ideas?

a shot in the dark

ignition switch https://www.fiatforum.com/newbie-ce...teering-locking-whilst-driving.html?p=4479091

 

[karm4]

I'll keep that in mind thanks.

It's still booked in on the 10th for both the starter and the MOT, so if it's all ok come Thursday I'll take a drive up and talk to the garage and ask for them to run diagnostics and hopefully cancel the starter being done.

 

[DaveMcT]

Diagnostics will cost you around £80. For a lot less than that you can get an OBD cable and software from www.multiecuscan.net and use it on a Windows laptop. The registered version is only €50.

However that will not tell you anything about the starter motor, which needs the basic tests already described. It is accessed directly from underneath the car or you can clip the jump lead onto the solenoid terminal (motor side) at the back of the engine.