Technical Starter motor problem!!!

[Mikeyboyfiatpuntogtlover]

Hi guys!iv had this weird problem with my punto gt 1995!!it all started when my starter motor started to play up one minute it worked next It didn't.....and so on!!eventually it died so I thought time to buy a new...got my new one fitted it but still nothing everything works as it should!!but when u turn so that it turns over...nothing is really starting to baffle as iv gone round all the earths!!lives in engine bay iv run a ignition live to the starter but fack all!!even tried a a meter on all the wires!!everything seems to get power!!could this be a relay or the standard alarm thing ??am so confused right now lol so any help will be much appreciated thanks for read hope you can help !!!

 

[fingers99]

Can't see it being the immobiliser without the "CODE" light coming up.

Humour me. Take a single jump lead from battery negative to somewhere solid and metalic on the gearbox. Try and start the car.

What happens?

 

[Mikeyboyfiatpuntogtlover]

Haven't tried it like that but have tried to the starter motor
Straight of battery to starter but naink it's really annoying me as I love it so much lol

 

[fingers99]

Try it -- remember that the earth side completes the circuit. Takes moments.

 

[Mikeyboyfiatpuntogtlover]

Tried it and nothing!!its so ****ing bizarre!!!can I email u a video ??

 

[fingers99]

Please, no. You can pop one on You Tube and link to it here, though.

 

[dumbledore]

If you bypassed the ignition and wired the starter correctly then the new starter is daft. Try to check the starter on the bench. Also try to push start your car. Make sure the battery is ok and make sure the live wire is ok, I.e. Not rotten.

 

[sludgeguts]

With the starter off & clamped on a bench, 12v across the big terminals should spin the motor.

12v across the small terminals on the solenoid should activate it (that would be the normal 'click' you hear when the motor is dead or not getting power).

If these tests are OK then it sounds like power isn't getting to the motor/solenoid.

With the key in the ignition at normal (engine running) position (all lights on dash) , you should have power to the motor. Put a jump lead from the solenoid + to battery +(connect to solenoid, touch to battery!). this should engage the motor & turn the engine.

On some other marques, they use a cheapo ignition switch and the contacts simply drop to bits - often misdiagnosed as a faulty starter (and some garages would charge hundreds for a genuine starter & simply replace the £15 ignition switch!).

You can also get problems with the main cables under the bonnet - whilst they might look intact, they might have corrosion - a heavy cable designed to carry high ampage will not carry nearly enough juice if half the copper strands inside are damaged - try wiggling the main cables (+ and -) where they are crimped into the lugs, there should be no/minimal play.

 

[varesecrazy]

On some other marques, they use a cheapo ignition switch and the contacts simply drop to bits - often misdiagnosed as a faulty starter (and some garages would charge hundreds for a genuine starter & simply replace the £15 ignition switch!).

I had this on an old high mileage Regata, :worship:
the Disc terminal at the end of ignition barrel was worn,
replacement from scrappy had it working perfectly again,

the tell-tale was the lights didn't DIM when you turned the key.. see if your battery + oil lights DIM when it's supposed to be cranking the engine,
Charlie

 

[sludgeguts]

#1 son had this on his 02 polo.

Had the occasional starting problem leading to the more regular starting problem leading to dead starter - or so i thought.

Took out the old starter to take for a recon unit & figured it might be worth having a 'quick look' (as you do!) to see if it was anything obvious.
Using my cheapo jump start battery pack, I put voltage across the motor - it worked. put voltage across the solenoid - it worked! Went on VW forums & was told it was a common problem.
£15 for a switch off ebay & had to put in a temporary jump lead until the part came (few days). This was simply a small wire attached to the solenoid with a croc clip on the other end. Ignition on & touch the battery - the croc clip was useful to hold the wire on the plastic battery box .
New switch arrived & took less than 5 minutes for me to fit.

In all my years & all the ancient wrecks I've driven, I have never come across the need to change an ignition switch & yet it is so common that switches are cheap as chips.

 

[Mikeyboyfiatpuntogtlover]

Thanks for all the tips!!but iv managed to get the old girl going again!!was a combination of things lol needed a new battery and dodgy terminals nd she's got her new starter on!!runing perfect now!! Thanks again guys

 

[flisko]

Thanks for all the tips!!but iv managed to get the old girl going again!!was a combination of things lol needed a new battery and dodgy terminals nd she's got her new starter on!!runing perfect now!! Thanks again guys

had similar problem with my car
if the car starts while using jumper cables then it is NOT your starter, but your alternator, as my car would just shut itself down in the middle of driving and would not start on its own, replaced alternator and now it works normally