Technical Stating problems

[Velocemitch]

Got a problem with the starter motor on our 900 OHV Panda.


It's intermittent... as always!... but as you turn the key the ignition comes on but there is nothing from the starter motor, bumping the Car will start it, and eventually (I expect as it warms a bit) the starter will come back again. It randomly stops and starts working though, which makes the car very difficult to live with as you never know if it's going to start or not. It's my Daughters daily driver, so we need to fix it.


I'm thinking Starter Solonoid????


Are these prone to silly failures like this, can they be tweaked and fixed or is it a new starter motor?. I'm seeing them advertised on Ricambo, but the aint cheap.

 

[kolza]

Hi, Where do you base? Some of us could have a look, if your close to Derby your lucky!
It does sounds like solenoind but please do not spend monney on new SM just now.

Make sure battery clamps, connections at the back of SM ( red, black tick cable) are clean and sound.

Inspect closely the 6.3mm female spade connector for corrosion - use sand paper and small screwdriver to clean the spade on the back of solenoid. Contact in ignition barrel switch assembly might be faulty as wellIf still no joy, the solonoind barrel must be dry inside and sticking.

When the fault accures - have the ignition ON and apply +12V directly to that 6.3mm spade connector at the back of the SM if it cranks it more down to Ignition switch.

You can still buy new OE solenoid assembly for £20-£30.

 

[Palio]

I had something similar, but it was the battery in the end. Although it appeared charged it was randomly giving those symptoms. Swap a known good battery onto it & see if it helps maybe - it's easy and free if you have another car nearby!

 

[Velocemitch]

Re: Starting problems

We are up in Yorkshire, so a bit far for a quick look thanks.

I was planning on doing all those checks tonight, making sure the terminals were clean etc. Will check there is current when the key is switched across, but as usual if it's an intermittent problem you have to catch it in the act as it were.

Pretty sure it's not the battery because once it decides the starter motor wants to kick in, it spins it up with no problem.

Interesting that you can buy new solonoid assemblies, I thought they were integral with the Motor, it's a pre-engaged system rather than the Beindix type isn't it.

 

[onemanmade]

Got a problem with the starter motor on our 900 OHV Panda.


It's intermittent... as always!... but as you turn the key the ignition comes on but there is nothing from the starter motor, bumping the Car will start it, and eventually (I expect as it warms a bit) the starter will come back again. It randomly stops and starts working though, which makes the car very difficult to live with as you never know if it's going to start or not. It's my Daughters daily driver, so we need to fix it.


I'm thinking Starter Solonoid????


Are these prone to silly failures like this, can they be tweaked and fixed or is it a new starter motor?. I'm seeing them advertised on Ricambo, but the aint cheap.

Sounds like an earth problem to me. New starter should be available relatively cheaply from eBay I would think though?

 

[kolza]

Sounds like an earth problem to me. New starter should be available relatively cheaply from eBay I would think though?

Engine earth strap?

 

[onemanmade]

Engine earth strap?

Exactly

 

[Dragon Man]

hmm yes it could be the earthing strap. if it has the 903cc engine all of the auxiliaries will be the same as the cinquecento 899cc engine. as they are the same engine with a different cylinder head.

its always a good idea to stick an extra earthing strap connecting the engine to the car body anyway.

 

[Velocemitch]

It works every time after a sharp tap on the top of the solonoid, seems pretty clear it's that sticking to me.
I'm being quoted two different patterns of motor by a local supplier, one with 9 teeth the other 11 (think he said 11).
Anybody have a part number, it's a Dance 900, the overhead valve motor from the 127.

 

[Dragon Man]

ahh well if that is the case, how about saving yourself some cash and giving it a clean?

its a pretty straightforward job on the old 903cc engine with it being at the front of the car.

i'd unbolt the whole unit from the car, get it on a bench and strip the solenoid down, then clean it out. apply grease where it needs it

 

[Velocemitch]

OK thanks, I will give that a go, nothing to loose.