Starter issue

TheFarrier

My van wouldn't start the last few days, the battety is fine, so after checking the connections between battery and starter (which were not the problem), I took out the starter and tried turning it using a separate battery, to no avail.
had a mate whose a mechanic look at the starter, he says the brushes are worn out.
Is it possible to replace the brushes in a starter, or am I looking at replacing the starter.

Avns1s

Course it's possible to replace the brushes but if its been struggling for a while, you might find the armature is burnt too.

Might be best to bring it to an automotive electrical place and get it rebuild or an exchange unit.

TheFarrier

Avns1s wrote: »

Course it's possible to replace the brushes but if its been struggling for a while, you might find the armature is burnt too.

Might be best to bring it to an automotive electrical place and get it rebuild or an exchange unit.

Thanks for your quick reply.

The thing is, it's not been struggling for any length of time, it was slow to fire one morning after two days parked up, but on starting a third time within an hour it was completely dead. Will call to an auto electrician tomorrow morning.

Have you any idea of a price to get it going again??

Avns1s

What van is it?

I'd be inclined to try another jump start, off a different battery using different jump leads. A starter will usually tend to lose power over a period, unless, its as simple as one of the springs at the back of the brush(es) failing.

Your symptoms suggest the battery needs ruling out in the first instance. Perhaps, if possible, put a known good and fully charged battery in temporarily in place of your own.

If you remove and replace the starter yourself, I expect you'd be looking at less than €100 for an exchange part, depending on the van.

TheFarrier

Avns1s wrote: »

What van is it?

I'd be inclined to try another jump start, off a different battery using different jump leads. A starter will usually tend to lose power over a period, unless, its as simple as one of the springs at the back of the brush(es) failing.

Your symptoms suggest the battery needs ruling out in the first instance. Perhaps, if possible, put a known good and fully charged battery in temporarily in place of your own.

If you remove and replace the starter yourself, I expect you'd be looking at less than €100 for an exchange part, depending on the van.

It's a 07 transit connect, battery in the van is perfect, tried other batteries, no good. I have the starter out and will be visiting an auto electrician first thing tomorrow morning.
Even if replacing the brushes is only a temp measure for now it would do, but I need the van Tuesday morning, and I'm strapped for cash at the minute.

Thanks for the replies

CJhaughey

Is the starter turning over and not engaging or just not turning at all?
Sometimes the solenoid gets pitted and cleaning it up may get you a bit more life out of it.

TheFarrier

CJhaughey wrote: »

Is the starter turning over and not engaging or just not turning at all?
Sometimes the solenoid gets pitted and cleaning it up may get you a bit more life out of it.

Not turning at all, I'm waiting on the call to collect the starter now