Bad Starter?

[Mike_Rupp]

A few days ago, my Disco1 seemed to turn over slowly but it started. A few times after that it started just fine. I had some new battery cables that have been waiting to go in so I installed them. Right afterwards, the car started just fine. Fast forward a few hours and I tried to start it and the starter barely moved. I'm not getting the low voltage / clicking; the starter seems to be barely turning.

I tried to jump it, no difference. The voltage is 12.7.

Bad starter?

 

[sven]

Could be. But also check that ground strap that goes from the starter to frame. If thats fine, replace starter.

 

[antichrist]

Which cables did you replace, and are they as good as the ones I make?
If the connections are all good and jumping doesn't help (which it might not if there are issues with the connections) then is does sound like the starter.
But to be honest, in 40 years I've never had a starter fail with the symptom of just turning slowly. Which isn't to say it doesn't happen.

Wait, I did have a Denso that did that once a long time ago. Mostly it wouldn't even crank unless I hit it, but finally it was turning slowly and it was the contacts in the solenoid burned to where they weren't making a solid contact, so there was too much volt drop to the motor.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Tom, I'm having the exact same thing happen before and after the cable change. The starter alternates between turning the engine over normally and then barely moving. That leads me to believe it's the starter.

They are the cable that runs from the negative post to the body and frame and the cable from the positive post to the starter. I got them from Atlantic British. I used them on a different Disco with no issues.

 

[antichrist]

Then the next thing I'd do is what Sven suggested.
Also make sure the jumper wire from the solenoid to the starter motor isn't loose.

 

[bovw]

Mike, while in Idaho I had my starter go out. I drove 2500 miles out with no issues, nor before we left. The day before it died I drove about 300 miles, and the morning it died about a dozen. Stopped for a drink, got back in, and out of nowhere, nothing. Didn't click, turn, make any noise at all. If cables, wiring, and ground are good, it's very possible you're on to it.

 

[ptschram]

Mike, while in Idaho I had my starter go out. I drove 2500 miles out with no issues, nor before we left. The day before it died I drove about 300 miles, and the morning it died about a dozen. Stopped for a drink, got back in, and out of nowhere, nothing. Didn't click, turn, make any noise at all. If cables, wiring, and ground are good, it's very possible you're on to it.

Same thing happened to me while in Detroit on business.

$1000 later, I was fine.

 

[antichrist]

$1000 later, I was fine.

I can't even imagine being "fine" after spending $1000 to replace a starter.

 

[jafir]

Which cables did you replace, and are they as good as the ones I make?

Do you sell these?

 

[Big_mark]

Tom, I'm having the exact same thing happen before and after the cable change. The starter alternates between turning the engine over normally and then barely moving. That leads me to believe it's the starter.

They are the cable that runs from the negative post to the body and frame and the cable from the positive post to the starter. I got them from Atlantic British. I used them on a different Disco with no issues.

Mike there is an awesome starter/alternator repair shop in Woodinville (just up the hill from the old "Woodinville Auto Auction" site) it's called AllStar Alternators and Starters.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=all+star+electrical,+woodinville,+wa&hl=en&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&view=map&cid=11412834850439371579&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=0&iwloc=A

They do great work, fast turns and are inexpensive. It seems like you've taken care of all the "obvious" stuff. Before you blow $200. on a new or rebuilt starter take it to these guys to have it checked out or rebuilt.

This place is a one man shop, so call before you show up. The proprietor is sometimes out on deliveries.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Too late.

I'll keep them in mind in the future. A while back, I took an alternator to a shop in Seattle to have it rebuilt and the dickweed wanted $250.

 

[Big_mark]

Ouch!

All Star has charged me the following over the years:

Ford starter (Diesel, IH V8) $100
Ford Alternator - $100
Ford starter (mini) $40.

I hope your "new" part works!

 

[Mike_Rupp]

As suspected, it was the starter. It pops over like a brand new car now.

 

[ptschram]

I can't even imagine being "fine" after spending $1000 to replace a starter.

180 miles away from home, on business, having to meet one's wife when she got off the ferry, it was fine.

Did I happen to say that it was started at 1400 hours on Friday and done by 1700, including removal of the manifold to get to the boogered up upper bolt?

I got my karmic revenge when I charged a local attorney $600 to remove the top bolt on his daughter's truck's starter. I damned near framed it for them!

 

[jhmover]

180 miles away from home, on business, having to meet one's wife when she got off the ferry, it was fine.

Did I happen to say that it was started at 1400 hours on Friday and done by 1700, including removal of the manifold to get to the boogered up upper bolt?

I got my karmic revenge when I charged a local attorney $600 to remove the top bolt on his daughter's truck's starter. I damned near framed it for them!

Gold plating would have been a nice touch.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

How does the upper bolt get boogered? Aren't they all socket head cap screws? While the upper bolt is a challenge to get to, I can't see how it gets mangled. My truck is 11 years old with about 100k on it and once I was able to get the allen socket into the upper bolt, it was easy to free it.

I'm not trying to bust your stones, just curious since it seemed so easy to me.

 

[ptschram]

How does the upper bolt get boogered? Aren't they all socket head cap screws? While the upper bolt is a challenge to get to, I can't see how it gets mangled. My truck is 11 years old with about 100k on it and once I was able to get the allen socket into the upper bolt, it was easy to free it.

I'm not trying to bust your stones, just curious since it seemed so easy to me.

Just like head bolts that get boogered up by not having the socket on the bolt securely.

They can be tremendously tight and difficult to access, which makes it even harder.

 

[antichrist]

Just like head bolts that get boogered up by not having the socket on the bolt securely.

They can be tremendously tight and difficult to access, which makes it even harder.

Yeah, I always tell people use a pick tool or something to make sure they are cleaned out well. Not doing that, and/or using the wrong size allen which I'm sure people do, will certainly mess them up.

I mostly have Craftsman tools, but always use my Snap-on 8mm (which I had from working on my dad's VW in the 80's) because I don't want to risk it getting buggered by the socket. I know it would be a bitch to get out if it did.

 

[p m]

Mike, I've seen a few bolts so boogered up that the exhaust had to come off and ez-out used on the heads.

Land Rover starter always made me wonder... I've replaced a starter on my jeep's Buick 350 on the parking lot with two box wrenches in 15 minutes. Same location, access similarly obstructed by the same parts.

 

[ptschram]

Mike, I've seen a few bolts so boogered up that the exhaust had to come off and ez-out used on the heads.

That's how one ends up with a $1000 starter.

Land Rover starter always made me wonder... I've replaced a starter on my jeep's Buick 350 on the parking lot with two box wrenches in 15 minutes. Same location, access similarly obstructed by the same parts.

Yet the same starter on a 350 Chevy is a breeze.