Has anyone had or heard of a starter motor that constantly engages and cranks.. for apparently no reason? It happened to me when I was sitting at the lights today.. i turned off the ingition and of course, it was still cranking the engine - ended up having to pull off the ground lead off the battery and get towed home..
help?
helbus ·
Yep solenoid sticking on. Had it happen to a Lucas starter on the EH years ago, would only stop cranking if the power was cut.
76camper ·
Could it be the ignition barrel? Something loose?
Che Castro ·
Yep I've had this once or twice, I think it might have been my starter solenoid sticking, as it has stopped ever since I put in a rebuilt starter.
oval TOFU ·
Pretty sure its the starter that's faulty and not the ignition barrel - I pulled out all the fuses to see if it would stop the cranking, but it didn't.. Anyway, at home, I tested it again, and it seems to be behaving now... but do I risk the same thing happening to me agian if I drive with it in?
1. Is there any way to fix the starter myself?
2. How much would I be looking at for a rebuilt one?
3. Does hitting it with a hammer stop it from engaging? (seriously)
Che Castro ·
1. Unless you are an auto electrician or have done it before I probably wouldn't try stuffing around with the internals.
2. Rebuilt is about $180 or so. I have a rebuilt original one. Apparently the mexican ones arent so great.
3. Hitting it with the hammer can help if it gets stuck, my solenoid used to stick and it would click, so I would have to crawl up under the car every time or just push start it. Either way it was a sign I needed to get a rebuilt starter 🙂
oval TOFU ·
I got quoted about $110 🙂 I hope it stays at $110! These things have a habit of escalating.. When my solnoid stuck, i had to disconnect the battery and disconect the leads too. Then I used one of VWCOOL's R-clips from the deck lid stand offs to connect the battery lead to the lead that connects to the generator.. (luckily) I didnt get to test it though. I forgot to replace the coil lead to the dizzy when I tried to push start it, gave up, called RACV for a tow.. then remembered about the lead... stuff it. I got towed anyways..