S3 Starter motor

[ElTel]

Last week the starter motor on my '83 S3 span without enagaging the engine and I couldn't start. It first happened three times on one day at Castle Combe (when engine hot), but by rocking the car in gear I managed to get the engine started. Since then I've fired the engine up several times from cold without problem. Do you think this will be a recurring problem and should I have the starter motor checked over/replaced? Any advice welcome.

[nicksoldies]

It's a pre-engaged starter. That means the solenoid doesn't make the contact to spin the starter until the pinion is meshed with the flywheel. It's possible there's a build up of cluutch dust and oil fumes on the sliding pinion mechanism. Quite often, removal and a good clean up and blow out with an airline will do the trick.

[Guest Troy Halliday]

I agree with Nick but best done ASAP. It's not a dificult job only a couple of bolts, and a coule of wires. Rates about a 2/10 for difficulty, miniumum tools. Gonna state the obvious always disconnect the battery first B) oh and while your at it clean up the electrical connections at the same time on the starter and battery.

[WayneB]

As above posts

Dont keep using it as it is as you might chew up the ring gear on the flywheel (especcially if the solanoid isnt kicking the drive all the way out)

[ElTel]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a go. Many thanks.

[Paul C]

Hey! I fitted that Starter motor!

In about 1999 mate, so it's some circa 20k miles/ 7 years old.

Check the little spade crimp is tight on the solenoid, there was

a time i used to reach under and pull this as an anti theft thing,

and if it's loose then this would create what you describe too.

[ElTel]

Perhaps you should have left it to an electrician! I did remove the airbox for access and cleaned up the spade connector and HT cable (the rubber sleeve was split) and it hasn't happened since. Can a mucky connection prevent the starter engaging even though you can hear the motor spinning?

[Paul C]

Perhaps you should have left it to an electrician!  I did remove the airbox for access and cleaned up the spade connector and HT cable (the rubber sleeve was split) and it hasn't happened since. Can a mucky connection prevent the starter engaging even though you can hear the motor spinning?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey i am an Electrician! (not an auto electrician mind)

Think so mate, the solenoid (small lug) is what physically connects

the starters drive to the car. If the solenoid wire is out then i 'think'

you still hear the starter? Not sure, i'm only an electrician.

[USAndretti42]

I thought that, with a pre-engaged starter, the solenoid pulls the pinion into the starter ring. When the pinion is fully-engaged, it make a contact to feed current to the motor. I don't think taking a wire off will by-pass this. Perhaps you have a build up of dust in the pinion housing which sometimes leads to a short. I think you can get this off without removing the starter.

If I'm right, I would get onto it pronto as it will only get worse leading to dead batteries, hot starter and other calamities.

Here's more info Pre-engaged starter stuff