Starter Motor Not Working When Engine Is Hot.

mensoft · February 16, 2015

Hi All,

I have a new problem coming up is my starter motor is not working when the engine is hot.

I can start my car without any issue in the first start itself but when i run it and stop somewhere and when try to start its not cranking the engine. i can here "tick. tick." noise from the motor when is try to start but its not starting. first i thought its a battery but I checked my battery is good and the battery cables also tied well and charging also ok.

Any way if i keep the car just about 10-15 min then I can start the car. the starter motor is working again.

What can be this issue ? Do i need to replace the starter motor ?

Rumesh88 · February 16, 2015

Could be the bush bearings of the motor. If so you can get them replaced. If you decide to replace them, change brushes as well.

Davy · February 16, 2015

Your starter motor is at fault here. The most likely causes are:

- Worn out brushes

- Worn out bearings

Take your car to a good auto electrician and get your starter motor serviced. Replace brushes and bearings as necessary.

EDIT: Guess Rumesh beat me to it!

Edited February 16, 2015 by Davy

Rumesh88 · February 16, 2015

On 2/16/2015 at 3:09 AM, Davy said:
Your starter motor is at fault here. The most likely causes are:
- Worn out brushes

- Worn out bearings

Take your car to a good auto electrician and get your starter motor serviced. Replace brushes and bearings as necessary.

EDIT: Guess Rumesh beat me to it!

Of course I did . I had the same problem with a Mazda 929. What I used to do when I got stuck was to short circuit the motor solenoid terminals with a spanner or something ad let the motor run free for a second. then start normally. I still remember even the shape of the two bushes I bought from Mazda agent (in ME)- the front bearing resembling a thimble.

Davy · February 16, 2015

On 2/16/2015 at 3:30 AM, Rumesh88 said:
Of course I did . I had the same problem with a Mazda 929. What I used to do when I got stuck was to short circuit the motor solenoid terminals with a spanner or something ad let the motor run free for a second. then start normally. I still remember even the shape of the two bushes I bought from Mazda agent (in ME)- the front bearing resembling a thimble.

I remember using the lug wrench to hammer the starter motor while someone cranks the engine. Worked when the motor needed a small push to get going, because of worn out brushes.

Devinda_Z · February 16, 2015

On 2/16/2015 at 3:30 AM, Rumesh88 said:
Of course I did . I had the same problem with a Mazda 929. What I used to do when I got stuck was to short circuit the motor solenoid terminals with a spanner or something ad let the motor run free for a second. then start normally. I still remember even the shape of the two bushes I bought from Mazda agent (in ME)- the front bearing resembling a thimble.

929 ! not often you hear about one of those Interesting

maheshw · February 16, 2015

just FYI same thing happen your start motor cranks and engine doesnt get start when you are having a head gasket leak after engined reaches to a certain temp level. i had this experience on two nissan cars which i owned.

Davy · February 16, 2015

On 2/16/2015 at 4:05 PM, maheshw said:
just FYI same thing happen your start motor cranks and engine doesnt get start when you are having a head gasket leak after engined reaches to a certain temp level. i had this experience on two nissan cars which i owned.

I believe if the temperature gauge is working, this could be identified easily as a noticeable increase in the temperature will be shown.

In OP's case, the motor doesn't spin at all, only the solenoid seems to be operating.

mensoft · February 17, 2015

On 2/16/2015 at 4:05 PM, maheshw said:
just FYI same thing happen your start motor cranks and engine doesnt get start when you are having a head gasket leak after engined reaches to a certain temp level. i had this experience on two nissan cars which i owned.

Its nothing to do with head gasket. coz if i try push start the car same time when starter motor is stop working engine will start even just 1/2 turn.

aps · February 18, 2015

need more info -

1. From where tick tick sound comes ? motor ( solenoid) or relay ?

2. ur car model ? year ?

3. how long you use the car (Km , years etc) ?

4. any recent battery terminal activity ? remove ,service, wire change etc

Davy · February 18, 2015

On 2/18/2015 at 3:13 AM, aps said:
need more info -
1. From where tick tick sound comes ? motor ( solenoid) or relay ?

On 2/16/2015 at 2:44 AM, mensoft said:
Hi All,
I have a new problem coming up is my starter motor is not working when the engine is hot.

I can start my car without any issue in the first start itself but when i run it and stop somewhere and when try to start its not cranking the engine. i can here "tick. tick." noise from the motor when is try to start but its not starting. first i thought its a battery but I checked my battery is good and the battery cables also tied well and charging also ok.

Any way if i keep the car just about 10-15 min then I can start the car. the starter motor is working again.

What can be this issue ? Do i need to replace the starter motor ?

MV-5 · February 18, 2015

probably it is "solenoid" .each and every time you turn the key,if you can hear "click" "click" sound (or tick tick :-) )

Edited February 18, 2015 by MV-5

hrm · February 18, 2015

Me too thinks it's the solenoid. We once had exact same issue in our old Nissan pickup

Edited February 18, 2015 by hrm

aps · February 18, 2015

after few years of use solenoid switch may worn out (its contact points) so one good at electrical may able to refill contact points and do necessary adjustments, same can happened to relay which protecting ignition key switch, replacing relay may fix this issue, coils in ur motor rarely fail.some meches rip off by replacing the motor when they feel ur rich

mensoft · March 6, 2015

Hi All,

Im gona do DIY on my starter motor clean and re assemble.

Some one told me it will help to solve this by cleaning the brush and the motor parts. I just need to know for the reassemble can I use the normal grease or is there any special kind on grease for these kind of accessories.

also will it relay solve the problem by cleaning the motor ?

Davy · March 6, 2015

On 3/6/2015 at 3:56 AM, mensoft said:
Hi All,
Im gona do DIY on my starter motor clean and re assemble.

Some one told me it will help to solve this by cleaning the brush and the motor parts. I just need to know for the reassemble can I use the normal grease or is there any special kind on grease for these kind of accessories.

also will it relay solve the problem by cleaning the motor ?

If the bearings or brushes are worn out, cleaning will only provide a temporary solution. Some brushes are soldered on to the wire, so you need a high powered soldering iron to install new brushes. You might need puller to get the bearing off as well.

Not to discourage you from attempting a DIY, but I think it's better if you take the motor to a good electrician and get it checked out and serviced. If you want to save a few bucks, you can remove the motor yourself and re-install it after the repair.

You don't need grease for the motor according to my knowledge.

The Don · March 6, 2015

Yeah, bearings are sealed and the bushes don't need to be lubricated.

magneto · December 7, 2015

My Peugeot 407 got the same kind of an issue with starting and the garage guy has cleaned the starter motor. But he said the needle razor is worn and the aluminium body is cracked. So he suggest to replace the motor ?

Anyone can suggest a good place to get the starter motor repaired?

Crosswind · December 8, 2015

On 12/7/2015 at 3:37 PM, magneto said:
My Peugeot 407 got the same kind of an issue with starting and the garage guy has cleaned the starter motor. But he said the needle razor is worn and the aluminium body is cracked. So he suggest to replace the motor
Anyone can suggest a good place to get the starter motor repaired?

For f**k's sake, replace the bloody thing.

You are driving a 407 not a Maruti. Don't ruin a good car by attempting cheapass repairs like this.

jayanathkarunarathna · December 8, 2015

Hi,

My suzuki swift had same kind of issue. In my case there was no ''tik tik' sound. Issue was with the gear selector. After replacing gear selector (part is bind to automatic gear box which switch on the circuit only when gear is in P or N ). I recommend you to do a full wiring check when you occur issue. (Go for a long ride and stop at your mechanic )

magneto · January 15, 2016

Found a nice guy who does starter motor repairs for a reasonable charge. He runs a mechanic shop near Nawala Koswatta Junction, infront of Three Sinha roller door showroom (Sudarshana - 0714 988100).

Mine, the aluminium body had to be welded as there was a slight crack and he replaced the bushes and armature which did cost 10,500/= including labor + travel. In overall he has done a great job with a good care and not trying any 'cheap' fixes. Drove for like a month now and the motor works smooth as a charm!

By the way CarMart quoted 60K for a brand new motor .