Potential Starter Motor Problems

[JappyBeast]

Hi guys,

Got into my MR2 last night, turned the key and the starter motor turned slowly and then died, all the lights went off and the stereo resetted so I thought I had a flat Battery. Now when I turn it, it just makes a fast clicking sound like a relay clicking. I'm not sure if I have Battery issues coz the lights are still bright and the guage still sits above half way.

I have got some jump leads today so I'm gonna try and start her off another Battery but,

If it does turn out to be a dud starter motor, does anyone know what sort of job it is to replace it?

Last time I changed a starter motor was on my old Mini and it was litterally a 15 min job with just 2 bolts!

Any ideas?

Someone suggested belting the starter motor with a hammer to get it going again!

[T600]

Now when I turn it, it just makes a fast clicking sound like a relay clicking.

That sounds like flat Battery Jappy. I had similar in mine whenever it was going flat.

But it could be a starter problem that has caused the Battery to go flat, or if you've not used the car much recently then that could be the cause. Flat Battery of course not always a problem with the battery itself - could be usage related, or even an alternator / charging circuit.

I've been managing for a while with a battery that I knew was struggling due to it being on its last legs and me not using the car much. Finally bit the bullet and bought a new one yesterday. £79.95 from Halfords for one with a 4 year warranty (though they tried to charge me £82.95 at the till for some reason). Worth it though for first time, every time starting; normal service has been resumed.

[Jimlad]

Fast clicking usually means a duff Battery on a Mr2 mate.

[JappyBeast]

Done a bit of reading today and someone else has had the exact same problem and it turned out to be a duff Battery, as you guys stated it sounds like it really is the Battery, this is the second one I have had under warrenty so it looks like its going back again tomorrow if I can get her started with jump leads. I have only had this Battery since November.

Hope this is all that is wrong, free fix instead of changing the starter!!

[Parts-King]

Sounds like the Battery but there must be a reason for it going flat!

Duff Battery

Insufficient charge/ Alternator duff

Battery drain, interior light or door warning light on?

Get it charged up after getting it started and check the battery out with a specialist

Kingo

[Floctu]

*takes notes*

Will remember this, jappy my future problem solver!

[JappyBeast]

Well its been up to the garage, my local and not Toyota. They said the Battery was flat, they charged it up and put a multi meter on it, they the alternator is only giving out 12volts when I have the lights, stereo and rear screen on so isnt charging the Battery but when I drive in the day it is kicking out 13.5v.

Now the question,

They say for a new alternator fitted its gonna cost me £300!!!!

Is there really a problem there or do they want some of my coin?

How much of a big job is it fitting an alternator and how much do they cost?

They didnt charge me for anything they did for me today so I'm not out of pocket yet.

I'm gonna run the car a bit more and see what occurs, might just get a Battery charger.

[T600]

A good charger is always a worthwhile investment. I'd recommend a cTEK or similar that can be left connected and which will condition the Battery.

These also come with a plug connector for the clips and you can get a little tail lead that you connect to the Battery so that you can put it on charge without having to remove the spare wheel and clip into the top of the Battery connections. Pics available if req'd though I'm sure you know what I mean.

If you can easily hook it up overnight then you may well find that charging the battery regularly over the winter months will do the job for you, and that the alternator can cope with the load in the summer when you're not using your lights, rear heater etc, etc.

[JappyBeast]

Thats the thing tho, I mainly drive at night with lights and stereo on LOUD. Never use the rear screen. Guess I need to drive her about a bit more as I'm currently doing short runs to work. Petrol prices dont help!

[Jinxed]

LOUD

as in amps? have u got a cap fitted? even an 'entertainment battery' with i think its a diode to prevent current leaking the other way and all stereo gear hitting the entertainment Battery up?

the cap or the entertainment Battery will dramatically reduce any probs caused by insufficient charging while running..... is exactly how im gonna mount a proper pc unit in mine someday :)

hope it gets sorted fast for you... cars not starting sucks

[JappyBeast]

Never heard of a 'cap' can you just get it from a local motor factors and do you just connect it to the positive part of the Battery?

[T600]

Never heard of a 'cap' can you just get it from a local motor factors and do you just connect it to the positive part of the battery?

Cap = Capacitor. To be honest it just smooths the load that the hi-fi is drawing. This is good for the hi-fi as it's effectively a reserve of instant power that you locate near to where you need it. I doubt it'll do much for the load on your Battery though.

Entertainment Battery might be more useful. Stores much more energy than a capacitor so when you have spare energy it goes into the entertainment Battery and the hi-fi draws from that instead of from your main battery. Thus if you're short of energy the hi-fi stops, but the car will still start. Whether that's a good thing depends on your priorities :)

[Jimlad]

You've never heard of a Power Cap ??

[JappyBeast]

You've never heard of a Power Cap ??

Is it like a Baseball Cap?

I know what a Capacitor is. Pardon me for not working in Halfords!!!!! :P