Battery / Starter / Alternator Problem on my 3rd Gen

fefelarue · Post by **fefelarue** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:51 pm

Hey guys!

Months back, I had a few instances of the starter making a loud clicking noise and not starting the engine. Thinking that it was a battery issue, I bought a new battery which seemed to solve the problem. Then it started happening again more and more often.

For the last couple of months, I've been bump starting my car, because the starter just clicks every time. My assumption is that this was the solenoid, so after failing to find an affordable new starter, I stripped the starter motor down completely, found nothing wrong and rebuilt it. Same problem, clicking noise and no go. But the battery always had some charge (enough to work the lights, radio etc).

I then charged the battery with a battery charger completely, and it started! I went for a half hour drive, came back and it wouldn't start again! So the battery is not charging sufficiently basically.

BUT

I have also done 10 hour uninterrupted drives with a subwoofer blaring, so the alternator MUST be putting out more than enough charge to run the car. And the battery is new!

I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT CARS!

And ideas? Hopefully it's something obvious and easy.

Thanks in advance.

Felix

fefelarue · Post by **fefelarue** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:57 pm

Maybe alternator putting out less than 14v which would run the car but not charge the battery?

fefelarue · Post by **fefelarue** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:13 pm

ALSO, when i tried to JUMP start it the other day from someone else's running car, it didnt start :S I'm so confused

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 10:48 am

Sounds like a poor earth, restricting current flow, which would be most noticeable during starting (that's when the biggest current draw is needed).
Check the earth leads from the engine to chassis, connections at the starter motor and at the battery.
Make sure all the leads are in good condition and that all the connections are clean and tight (nb: be careful not to overtighten the bolted connections at the starter motor or alternator - they're easy to shear off...)
If that's all ok, with the engine running/idling, check the charge voltage at the battery, should be around 14.4v

If that's all ok, I'd suggest it probably still is the starter motor solenoid (they can look ok but still stick) or worn brushes in the starter motor - did you check the length of them when you had the motor off?

fefelarue · Post by **fefelarue** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:53 pm

Thanks dude I'll have a look at the earths, and try to find my voltmeter!