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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rallydiesel on April 05, 2007, 08:18:22 pm

Title: I think starter blew up
Post by: rallydiesel on April 05, 2007, 08:18:22 pm
Today my son moved his 1.6 TD off the driveway onto the street. When he turned it off, he noticed a buzzing sound from the engine bay. The starting was still spinning despite the key being removed and engine off. He disconnected the battery. I checked it out and the starter sounds like the starter gear is busted up.

My question is, can a starter be rebuilt or will I have to find another one? Does it have to be specific for a diesel of can you get a generic cheapie?

I obviously have some kind of short at the ignition switch that isn't shutting off power to the starter when the key is released. Anyone have this problem before? I hope it is an easy fix, aside from having to get a "new" starter. The crappy thing is the starter on there is pretty much new.  :cry:
Title: I think starter blew up
Post by: rallydiesel on April 05, 2007, 08:45:26 pm
I think it is the solenoid that is sticking. I removed the "terminal 50" wire from the solenoid and reconnected the battery and the starter kept spinning.
Title: Re: I think starter blew up
Post by: jtanguay on April 05, 2007, 09:07:28 pm
Quote from: "rallydiesel"
Today my son moved his 1.6 TD off the driveway onto the street. When he turned it off, he noticed a buzzing sound from the engine bay. The starting was still spinning despite the key being removed and engine off. He disconnected the battery. I checked it out and the starter sounds like the starter gear is busted up.

My question is, can a starter be rebuilt or will I have to find another one? Does it have to be specific for a diesel of can you get a generic cheapie?

I obviously have some kind of short at the ignition switch that isn't shutting off power to the starter when the key is released. Anyone have this problem before? I hope it is an easy fix, aside from having to get a "new" starter. The crappy thing is the starter on there is pretty much new.  :cry:


i know a local guy who will rebuild starter's for around $60-70 bucks and include a warranty... bosch starter's are very expensive because they don't break very often... i know because mine's been through absolute hell!  :lol:

quick word of advice, is to solder all lines going to the starter... they tend to corrode off after oh say... 15 years?  :roll:  :lol:
Title: I think starter blew up
Post by: burn_your_money on April 06, 2007, 05:47:15 am
you need a diesel starter. Gas ones won't spin the engine fast enough to start, especially in the winter
Title: I think starter blew up
Post by: rallydiesel on April 06, 2007, 03:02:08 pm
So I took the starter out. I tested it and it spun. I tested the solenoid and it didn't spin with the key switch "off" but did with it "on"! So everything was normal.  :?:  The starter bushing seemed pretty beat up but that didn't explain the failure to turn off.

I put the starter back in, relieved that I didn't have to throw away a hundred bucks. Everything is back to normal now. Car started with no problem. The starter cranked the engine as quickly as before.

I don't understand what could have happened. Unless there was a short directly to the starter motor, since the solenoid hadn't engaged the starter gear. I did notice the connection coming out of the solenoid to the starter had exposed copper. I guess the live lead going to the solenoid could have touched the solenoid/starter connector?

 :roll:
Title: I think starter blew up
Post by: jtanguay on April 06, 2007, 09:37:06 pm
Quote from: "rallydiesel"
So I took the starter out. I tested it and it spun. I tested the solenoid and it didn't spin with the key switch "off" but did with it "on"! So everything was normal.  :?:  The starter bushing seemed pretty beat up but that didn't explain the failure to turn off.

I put the starter back in, relieved that I didn't have to throw away a hundred bucks. Everything is back to normal now. Car started with no problem. The starter cranked the engine as quickly as before.

I don't understand what could have happened. Unless there was a short directly to the starter motor, since the solenoid hadn't engaged the starter gear. I did notice the connection coming out of the solenoid to the starter had exposed copper. I guess the live lead going to the solenoid could have touched the solenoid/starter connector?

 :roll:


weirder stuff has happened to me...  :wink:  just do yourself a favour and solder all connections!  8)