Starter Motor

[Spider2]

I think my starter motor on my LHD Series 1 (4 speed) maybe on the way out. Any tips on removing it? I will give it a good clean (inside and out) and check connections before spending a few hundred £ on a new one. It looks like the carbs have to be removed to get to it. Is that correct?
Hits, tips and suggests most welcome please.

[jimbo64]

From memory two bolts in bell housing and it’s out no need to disassemble anything else other than wiring

[Spider2]

On your back underneath or from the top?

[jimbo64]

On top I don’t have an air filter so maybe remove that too

[lancialulu]

From the top. Disconnect the battery.... Take off the air cleaner box. On S1 it is 2 bolts and the electrical connection (of course). It should wriggle free.

Check the brushes. The earth side are probably worn.

[Spider2]

Thanks guys, I had the airbox off recently to paint it so I know the tricks doing that job. If its intermittent it would probably be commutator/brushes. Anybody know if the brushes are available for a Series 1 unit?

[Kaha]

If the starter is intemittent the problem could be the ignition lock.
It was the problem on my car.

The ignition lock is quite easy to clean.
Just be carefull when opening up as there is s spring that might escape if not careful. Opening up inside a plastic bag might be a good thing.

[lancialulu]

If the starter is intemittent the problem could be the ignition lock.
It was the problem on my car.

The ignition lock is quite easy to clean.
Just be carefull when opening up as there is s spring that might escape if not careful. Opening up inside a plastic bag might be a good thing.

This is a good call. Similarly the solenoid on the starter motor itself could be intermittent. Re brushes I think the only way is to size them and search for brushes for starter motors, or take the unit to an autoelectric shop.

[chriswgawne]

Over the years, I have found most starter motor faults on our cars have been solenoid related. Often disassembling and then cleaning the solenoid contacts does the trick.
Chris

[Spider2]

Thanks, all good hints and tips. I think I'll start with the solenoid but true to form it has been as good as gold for last 1/2 dozen starts. but last week would not start even with jump leads attached.

[Brian Long]

The contacts in the ignition switch that actuate the starter are sometimes not quite up to the job. The solenoid causes sparking on the contacts which eventually causes intermittent operation or failure.  On my Flavia I have wired in a relay whose coil is operated by the key starter contacts and the relay switches the voltage to the solenoid thus relieving the ignition switch contacts of the heavy current and sparking. the relay can be 'piggy-backed' on the solenoid body.
If you feel confident enough, the switch can be removed from the lock assembly, (small Allen screw on side of lock body), dismantled (be careful of small spring inside the assembly) and the contacts cleaned up. A smear of Vaseline doesn't go astray either.
Brian