testing a starter motor

monzer

monzer

Joined
May 17, 2016
Posts
3,800
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Location
Edinburgh
Funster No
43,137
MH
B524
Exp
2nd base
I took a punt on a beach buggy, bought blind on ebay 🙄

I've had it running although it does have a few issues. Most recently the starter motor doesn't seem to be turning over properly.

Before I go removing it can anyone tell me if it possible to test it? Would I need to send it away somewhere or is there a way of knowing if it's goosed or not? I think I have found a replacement but it's over ÂŁ60 so would rather get this one going again if possible.
 
Wasn't a Sunday evening purchase after a bottle of Shiraz was it ?
Had a few of those moments myself o_O :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Sorry, I can't help with the starter motor
Hope you get it sorted
 
Hard to test without removing if it's 'old school' (Beach Buggy can be any engine but, presumably, VW, if so, only a couple of bolts and lecky contacts) Check earth, battery and spray contacts before removal.
 
There's ways of checking it with a multi tester take a look on you tube.

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is it inertia or pre engaged ?you say you've had the engine running so what's the actual problem ?
photo of the starter if your not sure
 
if it is off,rest it on the negative terminal .Hold it tightly & put a live wire from positive terminal on to the solenoid terminal.
If still mounted put a jump lead from battery neg to body starter & the same with the positive cable on to the solenoiid. Make sure it is in neutral first whilst doing it.
 
Figaro said:
Wasn't a Sunday evening purchase after a bottle of Shiraz was it ?
Had a few of those moments myself o_O :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Sorry, I can't help with the starter motor
Hope you get it sorted
Click to expand...
Kind of. I'd bought a smaller version from local auction before. That ran fine and was great fun but was impossible to get it road legal. I want something road legal to tow behind the MH.

This one popped up on ebay road legal so i put a bid in and won it. The guy said all it needed was a new relay for the indicators but the wiring is a bit of a mess. I'm planning putting it to a garage for the rest of the electrics but want to make sure this starter is working first.
mitzimad said:
is it inertia or pre engaged ?you say you've had the engine running so what's the actual problem ?
photo of the starter if your not sure
Click to expand...
I don't know what inertia or pre engaged is. Before, it turned over and you could hear the starter cranking. It would crank for a bit then start but now it just wheezes like the starter isn't working properly.
 
gus-lopez said:
if it is off,rest it on the negative terminal .Hold it tightly & put a live wire from positive terminal on to the solenoid terminal.
If still mounted put a jump lead from battery neg to body starter & the same with the positive cable on to the solenoiid. Make sure it is in neutral first whilst doing it.
Click to expand...
It is still on at the moment but it looks like there is space to get it off easily enough. No neutral on this thing just a forward and reverse gear.
 
monzer said:
Kind of. I'd bought a smaller version from local auction before. That ran fine and was great fun but was impossible to get it road legal. I want something road legal to tow behind the MH.

This one popped up on ebay road legal so i put a bid in and won it. The guy said all it needed was a new relay for the indicators but the wiring is a bit of a mess. I'm planning putting it to a garage for the rest of the electrics but want to make sure this starter is working first.

I don't know what inertia or pre engaged is. Before, it turned over and you could hear the starter cranking. It would crank for a bit then start but now it just wheezes like the starter isn't working properly.
Click to expand...

As per post above, a few taps with a hammer usually frees it off so that it engages.

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Carpmart said:
As per post above, a few taps with a hammer usually frees it off so that it engages.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will try that again. Now I have the fuel tank off so a bit more space to get in to hit it.
 
monzer said:
No neutral on this thing just a forward and revers
Click to expand...
So how do you stop at junctions etc...... Or is it a full automatic?
If there's no neutral how do you plan on towing it?
If it's not auto it's not going to be fast with just one gear.
 
pappajohn said:
So how do you stop at junctions etc...... Or is it a full automatic?
If there's no neutral how do you plan on towing it?
If it's not auto it's not going to be fast with just one gear.
Click to expand...
Automatic C.V.T system, whatever that is 🤷‍♂️ Operation is just lever forward for go and pull back for reverse.

I'm looking for a trailer for it. A few have actually popped up on the classifieds here but all been way down south.
 
monzer said:
Automatic C.V.T system, whatever that is 🤷‍♂️ Operation is just lever forward for go and pull back for reverse.

I'm looking for a trailer for it. A few have actually popped up on the classifieds here but all been way down south.
Click to expand...
Belt transmission.....same thing as DAF variomatic.
1 pulley on gearbox and 1 on rear axle.
As you speed up the gearbox pulley closes up making it bigger circumference while the axle pulley opens making it a smaller circumference.
Think of a 5 speed pushbike.
As you change up gears the chain moves to smaller sprockets on the rear hub.
Certainly couldn't be towed on an A frame
 
monzer said:
Before, it turned over and you could hear the starter cranking. It would crank for a bit then start but now it just wheezes like the starter isn't working properly.
Click to expand...

What’s the battery condition like? Is it fully charged and holding it?

As others have indicated, if it’s a CVT then you’ll probably have to trailer it.

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Orion said:
What’s the battery condition like? Is it fully charged and holding it?

As others have indicated, if it’s a CVT then you’ll probably have to trailer it.
Click to expand...
Yeah new battery and it's been sitting there a good few months ago doing nothing. Still holding a decent charge.
 
If it's an old school starter it may be the Bendix (the bit which engages with the flywheel) which is sticking.
Easy fix but the only way is with starter removed.
 
Could it be that the belt-drive transmission is not dis-engaging fully and putting a drag on the starting motor?

What make of engine has it?
 
Update on this. Had the starter off and tested, all working fine even under a bit of load. Wheel that the starter shaft turns seems to be in working order and engaging but it still isn't turning over.

My mechanical knowledge was iffy before so I definitely have no idea what happens after the flywheel.

Any suggestions?
 
monzer said:
Update on this. Had the starter off and tested, all working fine even under a bit of load. Wheel that the starter shaft turns seems to be in working order and engaging but it still isn't turning over.

My mechanical knowledge was iffy before so I definitely have no idea what happens after the flywheel.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Sounds like if your starter is fine and engages the flywheel but the engine won’t turn you have a more fundamental issue.

Can you try and turn the motor by hand. There will likely be a pulley directly attached to the crank. Socket on that and try and do a full revolution of the engine. Much easier to do with plugs out…
 
Carpmart said:
Sounds like if your starter is fine and engages the flywheel but the engine won’t turn you have a more fundamental issue.

Can you try and turn the motor by hand. There will likely be a pulley directly attached to the crank. Socket on that and try and do a full revolution of the engine. Much easier to do with plugs out…
Click to expand...

Despite me asking over a week ago, the OP STILL has not told us what engine it has or any other details, as far as I am concerned, my crystal ball has gone cloudy!
 
L' Hobo said:
Despite me asking over a week ago, the OP STILL has not told us what engine it has or any other details, as far as I am concerned, my crystal ball has gone cloudy!
Click to expand...
I don't know who made the engine but this is part of the spec sheet that I got with it....

16533899881854755099676502708992.jpg
 

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