Hi, 2004 Octavia 1, 90bhp classic estate.

 

Currently on 275k miles.

 

Back in March 2013, I changed my starter motor as the one on the car had failed. It had been lazy starting for the past 4 months from when I got the car, then it just failed to start it at all. I could hear the solenoid clicking, but it couldn't kick the pinion onto the flywheel.

 

I bought a genuine Bosch replacement for about £150 (after I returned the old one). and fitted it in March 2013. It cured the lazy starting and kicked over instantly.

 

Last week it started to be lazy again, and on Wednesday evening it failed to turn the engine (but the solenoid clicked). I got a push start, and today I tapped it wiv an 'ammer which worked once. Coming home, a colleague push started me, and I left it running while I picked up a replacement starter motor.

 

The replacement I bought is the "Lucas" one from Eurocarparts.

 

I'm going to take the Bosch one back and get it either replaced or get my money back under Sales of Goods Act.

 

Any tips, or anybody had similar?

 

Cheers

I'd start looking at your earths. How does the starter react when you flash it directly from the battery?

Check your earths and the live to the s/m volt drop is the best way but remember the circuit must be under load. So when checking the s/m check it while someone cranks it.

Replaced starter motor.

Now starts perfectly, no hesitation.

Going to take faulty one back and get a refund.

I removed battery and cleaned earth lead up along with earth lead connections, i also fitted an extra earth lead from body to battery.

Funny i now get an extra 25 miles to a tank of fuel and am putting same fuel in and driving same, it just feels to drive so much nicer.

Extra earths are not a good idea unless it's a temporary fix. Ground loops can cause even more problems. On later canbus cars the earthing system can be quite crucial to it's correct operation. Not saying yours is gonna cause any issues Volvomeg, but don't go thinking that what you've done is a good idea, because in most cases nowadays, it truly isn't.

Started 100% fine since I replaced it.

Extra earths are not a good idea unless it's a temporary fix. Ground loops can cause even more problems. On later canbus cars the earthing system can be quite crucial to it's correct operation. Not saying yours is gonna cause any issues Volvomeg, but don't go thinking that what you've done is a good idea, because in most cases nowadays, it truly isn't.

If you connect the extra earth to the same point at both ends there will not be a problem.

If you connect the extra earth to the same point at both ends there will not be a problem.

Kinda defeats the purpose though, and isn't technically an extra earth, but you're right.

Most of the time it is the mounting points themselves that are the problem rather than the earth strap.

15 years trained volvo tech i think am qualified to fit an earth lead,

The main reason i did it was because the standard lead does body and engine in one and body connector under battery isnt the best and there will be extra strain on it from there to battery,

I also cleaned all earth points up on xc90 today aswell or at least the ones under bonnet and that seems to run smoother now aswell, altho it prob help me tighting battery terminals up as who ever fit the halfords battery to it before i got it must have forgotten that bit.

15 years trained volvo tech i think am qualified to fit an earth lead,

The main reason i did it was because the standard lead does body and engine in one and body connector under battery isnt the best and there will be extra strain on it from there to battery,

I also cleaned all earth points up on xc90 today aswell or at least the ones under bonnet and that seems to run smoother now aswell, altho it prob help me tighting battery terminals up as who ever fit the halfords battery to it before i got it must have forgotten that bit.

Not trying to teach grandma to suck eggs, but as a former electronics/electrical engineer I can tell you that EXTRA earths can cause real problems for dozens of different reasons. There are entire volumes written on the subject of earthing alone. It's not just as simple as making sure that the earth is good, location can be very important.

This wasn't necessarily mentioned for your benefit, I might add, but I wouldn't want anybody thinking that haphazardly adding extra earths to their engine bay is a good thing, because often it can create problems elsewhere.