[BlackZookie]

Last weekend took the vit up to cruiser park, all went well came back then and on tuesday it didn't start then. The lights on the dash all come on but it makes no sound at all when you try to turn it over. Charged up the battery yesterday thought might be a fault with it, but its ok. Any ideas? Starter motor?

[zooktastic]

starter motor solenoid? is it manual, can it be clutched? i know when my starter motor solenoid went it appeared to do nothing but fried the shit out of the trigger wire

[Joe]

I'd be looking at the starter motor, try hitting it a few times and it might kick back in

[ajsr]

get a test light and see if your getting power to the throw in starter wire.
check all your earths are clean.
if there is power there when you hit the key its your starter

[BlackZookie]

Yeah its a manual, 1.6 carby model. can't be clutched. Thanks heaps for the comments & suggestions guys will have a good look at the starter motor. Would be good if joes right and I can just hit it a few times and it comes back, don't think be that lucky though

[SuziBlu]

Why cant it be clutched ??

If this is not so, it is very unique.

If the exciter wire is off the starter, you will have no power to the solenoid, and so, nothing at all to the starter, so it will not even clik.

[Joe]

BlackZookie wrote:

Yeah its a manual, 1.6 carby model. can't be clutched. Thanks heaps for the comments & suggestions guys will have a good look at the starter motor. Would be good if joes right and I can just hit it a few times and it comes back, don't think be that lucky though

You might be surprized, what you described in the first post is the same as what happened in my lwb vitara, all i did was give the starter a few knocks and she started.
The starter motor was still fucked but at least i could get it to a shop to get fixed

[BlackZookie]

Sorry mate, bit slow today misunderstood when read about the clutching bit. Ok that does sound like the symptoms when you say about the exciter wire, there is no click or sound or anything. Im not real mechical minded but just thought the starter motor you could tell if it was dodgy before it went. Been starting fine before that.

[dominator]

you do usualy get a warning if it is the solenoid but if it has dropped the excitor cable then you probably wouldnt. where about's in qld are you. someone might be able to come have a look for you.

[BlackZookie]

Im on the sunshine coast. Gunna get my dad to have a look he has a bit of knowledge but if he has no ideas and have no luck then if anyone knows of anyone would be good.

[royce]

did you go through any of that shit brown slop like in the pig pen?

[BlackZookie]

Nah went over to the pig pen but didn't do that, went through a few water crossings , and there was a fair bit of mud in general around cause had rained.

[alien]

water in the starter solenoid for sure... mines doing the same now and then. Nothing poking it with a stick doesnt fix.

[ajsr]

did you check to see if you have power to the starter throw in wire?
its a much safer way than just bashing the fuck out of your starter and hoping for the best
also see sheps thread

[dm90]

i say hit it, i had a mate and his car would only ever start if he popped the bonnet first and gave it a good whack with a hammer, usually while his wife turned the key. worked everytime, think yours is a bit more complex though.

[BlackZookie]

Gave the starter a hit just before to see if would do anything. Actually worked and car started after. Know its a temporary fix but good to hear it start again thanks for all the comments and advice guys really appreciate it

[shep]

be careful hitting the starter as it can bust bits inside it so that it wont work
again. wiring a relay onto the starter solenoid usually does the trick and takes 30 sec to install.
i ya need photos of what i am talking about i can take some.

[BlackZookie]

hey shep, yeah if you could send me some pics that would be great was very careful when hit it, only hit it lightly

[dmould66]

rust or mud on the shafts. when you get fed up with hitting it take it of clean and lubricate the shaft. take the solonoid apart lubricate this put it all back. if it still does it keep hitting it till you can get a new one.

[whincup]

my sierra starter cost $260 for full rebuild, including removal and refitting. new replacement was going to be something like $280... figured original lasted 16 years, why risk some other brand?...