Hi all,

 

I have a 2002 1.4 petol Fabia.  

For a while now the Starter motor has been 'temperamental'( a 'click'but nothing else~battery is fine), but I have always managed to start the engine.

Recently however, it completely gave out, so I had to pay somebody to come out and sort it ..

All this involved was tapping the starter with a metal rod; which set me back £80.00   :-)

The guy wants to replace the starter motor, but my question is this, is the starter on its last legs, or is my starter 'good'again, given that the car seems to now start with no problems...?

 

Thank you for your time

The solenoid was stuck. It won't get any better.

It could be the old turnip of the solenoid wire . But I've had this problem for a while . Plenty of clicks and headlights dim, so I'm not happy with the solenoid wire theory in my case . If headlamps don't dip when trying to start it's a bad solenoid connection ( contact surfaces of solenoid are badly pitted and HR is dropping battery volts). If headlamps dim, then it's possible that motor/clutch has problems.

Choice is replace starter or re con. In meantime, do what I do - carry a small hammer and when it happens, tap solenoid. ( Learning of over 2.5M miles on road + over 50 years from test and experience of not having a breakdown service within 100 miles of me for many a long year).

As Lee says- it won't get any better. I get months of starting with no problems ( other than an OAP battery - it needs a top up on odd occasions ) , then suddenly a set of clicks. I only give it one chance, then it's hammer time -just a gentle tap.

 

Thank you for your replies TMB and VWD; a new(reconditioned)Starter motor has sorted this problem; now onto next issue to be resolved on a new topic   :-(  December is turning into an expensive month !