Starter/imobalizer problem?

[Steph Walker]

Hi all. Starter motor packed up on my 05 Rav4 so no problem I fitted a new starter. Disconnected the Battery, fitted new starter, reconnect Battery, nice a simple 😀...now I got nothing! 😢😢😢 All the lights are up fine, car locks, lights work but nothing from starter, have i missed something...imobalizer, alarm or anything. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. Steph. xxx

 

[IanML]

Maybe the new starter is duff.

[gjnorthall]

Ensure that you have connected two cables to the starter - a thick and thinner cable to the end of the solenoid mounted on the starter  - can you hear a click from the motor when attempting to start? Disconnect the thinner cable and with a test lamp or voltmeter connected to the cable and an earth point - try the starter. If you get 12v then it's the starter motor that's faulty. If nothing then the motor could well be OK and you'll need to track back to the ignition switch to find the fault. If this is the case then it begs the question of whether the old motor was faulty (what were the symptoms?)

[Steph Walker]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm assuming the new motor is good, but will check as suggested. Symptoms were, I stopped for fuel, turned key to restart and all I got was nothing but a rapid clicking from solenoid. Car bump started ok and I got home. I removed the old starter and replaced, refitted wires, both large and small, reconnected the Battery and now there's nothing at all not even clicking, seems totally dead. Dash lights, headlights, central locking all work fine, all other electrical components seem to be ok, I thought maybe disconnecting the Battery may have done something to the imobalizer? Will do my tests and let you know. Cheers guys.

[gjnorthall]

A rapidly clicking solenoid is nearly always a power supply issue rather than a motor problem - usually a bad connection or flat Battery. The solenoid moves - connects the motor contacts - motor takes power but doesn't turn - voltage drops - solenoid springs back - cycle repeats > rapid clicking.

[gjnorthall]

Immobilisers are wired to disable the ignition system and / or fuel system. They are not connected to the starter circuit - it's too easy to defeat by hot wiring or bump starting.

[Steph Walker]

Well I checked to voltages, nothing wrong with large cable, but expected that as it just runs from the Battery to the starter. Small wire i checked and got 12.8 Volts when ignition key was turned, there was no significant drop in the Battery voltage so I assumed the new starter was duff. Tried another and guess what? exactly the same problem!!! 😞 So now it looks like I'm in for an Auto electrician to find the fault 😢😥 Thanks everyone. XX

[gjnorthall]

Just to complete the testing - use a length of cable with one end connected to the Battery positive and touch the other end on to the small solenoid terminal -the motor should kick in if it’s ok. (Test with ignition off and shift in neutral). If the motor kick in ok - repeat the test previously done but this time with the small terminal connected on the solenoid - check the voltage at the solenoid whilst the key is tuned.

[Steph Walker]

Sorted!!! Did all the checks as suggested by you good guys. After bench testing the old starter it was found to be fine, good and strong. Battery check also fine. Problem traced to a rogue earth cable and loose connection of same. When I checked them they looked fine, however on closer inspection a slight bit of corrosion, that's all, and it was enough. Cleaned, refitted and my "Lil Blue" fired up good as new. All that trouble from a bad earth. Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions. Steph. Xxxx

[gjnorthall]

Glad you’ve got it sorted.