Club 80-90 Forums

I haven't got one of those funny engines but I should imagine that the bush wears oval rather than gets clagged up resulting in incorrect alignment.

The bush should be changed if replacing the starter.Its as simple as that.

Th reason I suggested an in-situ bench check was to eliminate all the other stuff from the diagnostic process. I think you need to know if it's a electrical supply, stiff starter or tight engine problem. Sorry for mentioning the last one

So an update - I fitted a ground strap today from the starter motor bolt into an existing hole at the top of the engine bay. After that she successfully fired up!!

However after that I tightened up all the various bolts in the starter etc, very stupidly left a spanner attached on the starter motor top bolt bellhousing, (as I didn’t have the right length D bolt, just made a bolt out of some threaded bar for now, so I was tightening from the other side) said spanner was lying across the starter and solenoid.. attempted to connect neg terminal.. huge sparks followed, disconnected immediately, removed the spanner realising my mistake, still shorting whenever I connect the negative terminal, enough to melt parts of the negative terminal for the split second I connected it. What have I done wrong here??

Paulevenett wrote:attempted to connect neg terminal..

What do you mean by this..... there isn't a negative terminal

Hahah sorry meant the negative terminal on the battery

Sounds like the positive wire onto the starter is grounding out somewhere.

I suggest you remove the starter completely, make sure the starter positive cable is insulated / cannot earth and then try reconnecting battery terminals.

If there are sparks, the problem is on the van, if not then it's either internal on the starter or the battery positive was earthing before.

Hmm.. if I’m grounding the starter with an extra strap.. should that strap be connecting onto the same starter bolt as the positive and existing ground connectors?

I’m really not good with electrics give me nuts and bolts any day.

Don’t worry everyone - I’ve realised I’m a moron. I could E D I T that, but I’m going to leave it for entertainment for everyone

The ground strap is supposed to go on the starter bolt.. ie the "feck" mounting bolt

Paulevenett wrote:Hmm.. if I’m grounding the starter with an extra strap.. should that strap be connecting onto the same starter bolt as the positive and existing ground connectors?

I’m really not good with electrics give me nuts and bolts any day.

You can't E D I T it now

Oohh the mods are in town! Apologies for the language

No chance of avoid any embarrassment now

So after connecting the ground strap in the right place.. fires straight up. No damage and everything seems fine. Thanks for the help everyone

Have you changed the starter bush yet? These are notorious for causing starter motor problems which is why they supply them with new starters. Its the first thing I would do (and have done) rather than messing about with the electrics.