Starter Motor Problem

[J Moore]

Has anyone experienced a strange starter motor problem I have with my 1.6SX Bravo (1998) ?

The starter motor turns over too slowly to start the car, when the engine is hot (normal operating temperature). The lights dim as the starter sucks a few amps down its wires. It seems that the battery is flat. But if I wait approx 15 mins for the engine to cool, the starter motor then turns the engine over at normal speed and the car starts.

When the engine is cold, the starter motor works perfectly. The engine starts as expected. I checked the battery voltage after leaving the car overnight, an it shows 12.58 (which indicates a good battery).

I don't think its the battery anyway, as the car is fine starting when cold. And it takes more energy to start a cold engine than a hot one, plus a previously driven car has been topping up the charge. So you'd expect it to be able to start the engine fine with a hot engine !

Any suggestions ? I have recently had the starter motor replaced, but although the previous starter was noisy as hell, and the new one nice and quiet. The hot starting problem which was present with the old starter, is still here with the new one ! I plan to take it back to the garage.

Cheers,
Jon.

 

[J Moore]

There must be some more tech heads out there who have an idea ! Where are you all ?

 

[Craig]

Re: Re: Starter Motor Problem

i'd clean the terminals to the starter motor and the earth strap with some emery paper. check they are all done up tight as well.

its a long shot, but it might be worth a try.

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Starter Motor Problem

Measure the battery voltage as you crank the engine. Hot and cold.

 

[J Moore]

Well for those who also experience this problem in the future ....

It turned out to be the battery. Some internal fault had developed. I swapped the battery out, and all returned to normal.

The standard method of checking battery voltage after leaving it standing greater than 6 hours, didn't signal a duff battery.

It was the original one though, with 6 years and 80,000 miles under its belt. So it did have a reasonable long and healthy life !

 

[Tom]

Thats cos that method of checking a battery is useless.

You need to measure the voltage WHILE cranking the engine.