Which starter motor

Bob Williams · 8th November 2019, 11:53

I am waiting for the RAC to arrive as I think my starter motor has gone. It is the original and has done 252,000 miles so I suppose I shouldn't complain!

Looking on Rimmers' web site I see the genuine items are out of stock but £250 including VAT when they can get them. I really need the car and see they do an OEM version at just over half the price but do other members think this is false economy?

This is assuming my diagnosis is correct of course. I am going to the NEC on Sunday but fortunately I am going with a friend in his very nice Rover 45 so can do without the car for a few days.

clf · 8th November 2019, 12:05

What are the symptoms?

Multiple clicks with sometimes a flash of headlights is battery.

A single click it will be the starter - this is normally solved with a £13 rebuild kit (on ebay). The rebuild kit takes about half an hour to fit (removing the starter took me two hours and lots of guidance from this site as one of the bolts was hidden lol, but is another 20-30 minute job).

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Bob Williams · 8th November 2019, 12:15

Thanks for a quick reply!

There is no click at all but a repeated clonk-clonk-clonk and the dashboard lights flash on and off in time with it. I don't have the skills to take the starter motor off. (I used to do my own servicing 50 years ago but cars were simpler then!) It worked fine yesterday with no other symptoms.

stocktake · 8th November 2019, 12:50

Hi Bob,
It does sound like a battery fault, a charge for a minimum of 24 hours is recommended or it may even require a new battery, how old is it?

Bob Williams · 8th November 2019, 13:04

The battery is just over four years old so it does sound likely. I have had the car nearly fourteen years and when the battery has failed before it has just 'clicked' but I think you are probably both right. At least that means it can be fixed today.

vitesse · 8th November 2019, 13:07

And if a new battery / charge doesn’t help a call to a local garage in Olney might result in the appearance of one of the foremost experts on Rover 75s. Doesn’t Phil-T4 work at Soul’s (http://www.soulgarages.co.uk) ?

And please don’t try and start it any further before either replacing the battery or charging it !

Regards

Bob Williams · 8th November 2019, 13:30

I bought the car (and two previous 75s) from Souls and they do most of the maintenance on it and I recommend them highly. It is usually Phil who works on my car and he knows my car well. I have discussed the problem with Souls but I am hopeful the RAC can solve the problem by fitting a new battery as I have no other means of transport and they are twelve miles from here.

Bob Williams · 8th November 2019, 15:02

Just to complete the story, the RAC checked the battery, starter motor and alternator and confirmed it was just a faulty battery. They fitted a new battery for £140 with a five year guarantee. I could have had a three year guarantee for £120. Halford would have charged £135 and I would have to drive there.

8th November 2019, 11:53	#1
Bob Williams Loves to post MG ZT-T+ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 419 Thanks: 5 Thanked 109 Times in 57 Posts	Which starter motor I am waiting for the RAC to arrive as I think my starter motor has gone. It is the original and has done 252,000 miles so I suppose I shouldn't complain! Looking on Rimmers' web site I see the genuine items are out of stock but £250 including VAT when they can get them. I really need the car and see they do an OEM version at just over half the price but do other members think this is false economy? This is assuming my diagnosis is correct of course. I am going to the NEC on Sunday but fortunately I am going with a friend in his very nice Rover 45 so can do without the car for a few days.

8th November 2019, 12:05	#2
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	What are the symptoms? Multiple clicks with sometimes a flash of headlights is battery. A single click it will be the starter - this is normally solved with a £13 rebuild kit (on ebay). The rebuild kit takes about half an hour to fit (removing the starter took me two hours and lots of guidance from this site as one of the bolts was hidden lol, but is another 20-30 minute job). Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

8th November 2019, 12:50	#4
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,587 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Hi Bob, It does sound like a battery fault, a charge for a minimum of 24 hours is recommended or it may even require a new battery, how old is it? __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

8th November 2019, 12:15	#3
Bob Williams Loves to post MG ZT-T+ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 419 Thanks: 5 Thanked 109 Times in 57 Posts	Thanks for a quick reply! There is no click at all but a repeated clonk-clonk-clonk and the dashboard lights flash on and off in time with it. I don't have the skills to take the starter motor off. (I used to do my own servicing 50 years ago but cars were simpler then!) It worked fine yesterday with no other symptoms.

8th November 2019, 13:04	#5
Bob Williams Loves to post MG ZT-T+ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 419 Thanks: 5 Thanked 109 Times in 57 Posts	The battery is just over four years old so it does sound likely. I have had the car nearly fourteen years and when the battery has failed before it has just 'clicked' but I think you are probably both right. At least that means it can be fixed today.

8th November 2019, 13:07	#6
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,531 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	And if a new battery / charge doesn’t help a call to a local garage in Olney might result in the appearance of one of the foremost experts on Rover 75s. Doesn’t Phil-T4 work at Soul’s (http://www.soulgarages.co.uk) ? And please don’t try and start it any further before either replacing the battery or charging it ! Regards

8th November 2019, 13:30	#7
Bob Williams Loves to post MG ZT-T+ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 419 Thanks: 5 Thanked 109 Times in 57 Posts	I bought the car (and two previous 75s) from Souls and they do most of the maintenance on it and I recommend them highly. It is usually Phil who works on my car and he knows my car well. I have discussed the problem with Souls but I am hopeful the RAC can solve the problem by fitting a new battery as I have no other means of transport and they are twelve miles from here.

8th November 2019, 15:02	#8
Bob Williams Loves to post MG ZT-T+ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 419 Thanks: 5 Thanked 109 Times in 57 Posts	Just to complete the story, the RAC checked the battery, starter motor and alternator and confirmed it was just a faulty battery. They fitted a new battery for £140 with a five year guarantee. I could have had a three year guarantee for £120. Halford would have charged £135 and I would have to drive there.