[TheOtherLeft]

Hiya fellas,

I'm having trouble with my starter motor or battery.

When I start my GV in the morning it has real trouble turning over. It sounds like the starter starts and engages with the engine but then disengages whilst still being energised - I can hear the starter motor whirring but the engine itself isn't. It only happens if the engine has been sitting for several hours. If I try again in a few seconds and after a few goes it will start.

If the engine is still warm it starts first go.

Can starter motors perform differently if it's cold?

I have been having problems with my battery of late though. If I run the engine for a short period of time, eg only a few minutes and then leave it, it will have problems starting the next time - it is hard to crank over, and I've had to jump start it once when left for a few days after the engine was run for a few minutes.

I've multimetered the alternator when running and it's fine (around 14V) and also the battery when left for a couple of hours (>12.8V).

The battery (Supercharge) is a few years old as well however I drive about an hour to/from work each day (Parramatta Rd and M4 in Sydney) so it should get a full charge.

What's got me stumped with the starter motor is I would've thought if the battery is on it's last legs then it wouldn't energise and engage at all.

What are the symptoms of a failing starter motor?

Cheers,
Ben

[lukes_89]

if your having trouble try getting a hammer and tapping your starter motor then if it turns over after that easy then your starter is on its way out or stuffed mines dong the same thing at the moment few taps and starts first go

[Crunched]

lukes_89 wrote:

if your having trouble try getting a hammer and tapping your starter motor then if it turns over after that easy then your starter is on its way out or stuffed mines dong the same thing at the moment few taps and starts first go

He can hear the starter turning over, it's just not throwing out it's gear or something. Tapping the solenoid with a hammer will only be necessary if the solenoid is jamming up. His isn't as his starter is getting power.

[whincup]

yea thats when the bushings in the starter are going. i had both my starter and alternator go at the same time... told for both it was the bushings. carry a hammer with you at all times until its fixed. its what i did

[lukes_89]

yeh but if you tap the actual case not solenoid it will loosen the gear and make it pop out as thats what mine is doingi tap the back of my case and it works

[TheOtherLeft]

Could it be the over-run clutch instead? The starter seems to engage with the drive plate but then disengages too early. Maybe the clutch spring is losing tension????

[BAZZOOK]

Your battery's rooted. have it tested under load by an auto sparks.

[Crunched]

lukes_89 wrote:

... tap the back of my case and it works

If that's the case then perhaps the solenoid in sierras also engages the flywheel gear? I've never needed to fix one on a zook - I'll go check mine out. If the solenoid does engage the gear, then the solenoid's probably causing the issue. You can strip and clean it, or just replace it.

[lukes_89]

i wouldnt have a clue really thats just how i been getting mine to start last couple of days so could be wrong lol

[Crunched]

Have you tried cleaning it? Take the solenoid off the starter and spray the rod and down beside it with a heap of WD40.

[steak_knife]

TheOtherLeft wrote:

Could it be the over-run clutch instead? The starter seems to engage with the drive plate but then disengages too early. Maybe the clutch spring is losing tension????

Bingo, that sound's like the problem

New starter please!!!

[89_tintop]

x2 to what the steak knife said

as an auto elec myself that is exactly what it sounds like.
the drive has a clutch set up which when turned grabs one way and spins when turned the other way.

the part can be purchased but in most cases a replacement starter is usually not much more expensive

[lukes_89]

yeh i think i have a vitara starter at home if i do you can buy it off me cost me like $30 from the wreckers so you can have it for that and postage

[TheOtherLeft]

UPDATE.

Last Friday I gave the starter motor a big dose of RP7 and a few gentle taps with the hammer. It then started fine. I started it a few more times over the weekend (in the mornings when it was cold) and it was fine as well.

I'm thinking now there was dirt stuck in there.

Cheers for the info fellas.

[TheOtherLeft]

Well it's truly dead again. I can hear the starter engage the ring gear for a second and then disengage with the starter still energized.

I guess a trip to the auto elec is in order.

Does anyone know how hard it is to remove the starter motor, it looks kinda cramp and the only access is from underneath.

Also does anyone know the part/type of starter motor it is for a J20A?

[whincup]

i wouldnt buy another one, have yours rebuilt. its what i did. i was told something like $700 for a genuine suzuki replacement, and about $240 for a non-genuine brand... but im also told that theyre pieces of crap that wont last very long...

rebuild cost (including removal and refitting to car) was $280 all up. in my case it lasted 16 years last time, why risk buying a cheapo brand to save $40??...