Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[terry paget]

Here is the starter. I expected to find 12 volts on the power cable at left of pic, but I do not. I assume the cable goes direct to the battery positive terminal. I imagine if I put the key in and turn it against the spring I should gain 12v at the cable end to the solenoid too, but one thing at a time.

[Doctor Gollum]

That wire to the left looks like a ground

The solenoid makes throws a lever inside the starter making contact to spin it over.

A smack with a soft faced mallet whilst cranking (in neutral) should free it.

[terry paget]

That wire to the left looks like a ground

The solenoid makes throws a lever inside the starter making contact to spin it over.

A smack with a soft faced mallet whilst cranking (in neutral) should free it.

Looks pretty hefty for a ground. I thought all starters were earthed to the metal engines and the earth strap. That lead is in a handy place for installation, if not the live lead, where is it? I thought all modern starters, like on the Omega, had solenoids that engaged the pulled the pinion into mesh with the flywheel gear, then pulled the switch points together to power the starter motor. Older starters used inertial engagement.
Obviously I cannot crank the starter. Do you mean I should have an assistant turn the key to start position while I hit the starter with a hammer? Where should I hit it?
 

[Andy B]

..... Do you mean I should have an assistant turn the key to start position while I hit the starter with a hammer?

Yes 

Where should I hit it?

Small bit on the side ie the solenoid 

[Sir Tigger KC]

If the starter is stuck though, surely you'd still hear the solenoid click?   

[Andy B]

If the starter is stuck though, surely you'd still hear the solenoid click?   

More likely to be the solenoid that's stuck.

[Doctor Gollum]

..... Do you mean I should have an assistant turn the key to start position while I hit the starter with a hammer?

Yes 

Where should I hit it?

Small bit on the side ie the solenoid 

And breathe... 

[Marks DTM Calib]

I don't recall ever seeing a Vectra one

I can now point out the starter on the Roadster as it has a nice white sticker on it still.  And besides, a Vectra has a huge bonnet to lift so you can see the engine ..... a Roadster has a tea tray sized inspection hatch instead. 
Still .... a Smart drives the correct wheels 

Unfortunately they are far to close to the front ones to make it worthwhile or a nice experience 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Two stages to starter diagnosis and the first is to listen, when somebody moves the ignition switch to the start position, do you hear a click (solenoid trying to move).

If no, check the smaller cable is well connected and if you can, measure to see if you get 12V when the ignition is turned to the start position.

Second stage is to check that if there is a click, if volts are getting to the starter motor itself.

I assume its not an auto?

[terry paget]

Today I tried hitting the solenoid with a soft nosed hammer with ignition switch in 'crank' mode, no joy.
I explored further with a multimeter. The heavy lead in middle of picture is, as DG thought, earthy, probably the main engine earth lead. There is a 2 lead bundle to the solenoid, the light lead on the terminal to the solenoid, and the heavy lead to the right, at constant +12v, also attached to the solenoid.
I expected the lighter lead to become +12v when key is turned to crank position, but it does not. I wonder why.

[Doctor Gollum]

The key needs holding to crank, leaving it in position 2 ain't gonna cut it...

Presumably you have checked the fuses?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Did you try rocking it in gear with the ignition OFF? 

That will often free them up as DG mentioned earlier. 

[terry paget]

Did you try rocking it in gear with the ignition OFF? 

That will often free them up as DG mentioned earlier. 

Yes, tried that.Sadly, no joy.

[cam.in.head]

as you mentioned terry ,that thin wire should go live in crank position so join a wire onto it and try it on the battery + to prove starter is ok at least .then you need to trace wire back to key .
as mentioned  is it an auto ?

[Doctor Gollum]

1.8 vectra c is Manual only