Freewheeling Starter Motor

jace_da_face

I have a 2006 Opel Movano. The starter motor freewheels intermittently. Sometimes it does this several times in a row before it eventually cranks the engine. From what I see online there are the Bendix gear types that rely on inertia to move the pinion forward to engage the crank gear. I can see how a build up of gunk could result in the pinion not moving forward and the starter freewheeling. But these are not so common nowadays. Then there are the solenoid type that rely on the solenoid lever to push the pinion forward, and a solenoid plunger to transmit power to the starter. In this arrangement I can't understand what might cause the freewheeling. How can the starter motor be energise and the pinion has not engaged?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058214941/freewheeling-starter-motor

First thing first, check your car battery. If voltages is too low, the solenoid have enough power to move the bendix but drops out soon as the relay is engaged. So you hear the clicking noise and nothing happens. If battery is good, check the wiring. This is the basics what everyone can to do easily. If you have a multimeter you can easily perform the voltage drop test.

Freewheeling the bendix, need to check the bendix and flywheel. Teeth is missing?

jace_da_face

So I had some work done recently and got the garage to have a look at the starter. They say they rebuilt it. I was getting that clicking sound with no further action regularly. And sometimes i was getting the freewheeling. What ever the garage did seems to have fixed the click. And for the first few days it started first time every time. Now the freewheeling is present.

So you reckon the solenoid could energise the starter motor but not fully push the pinion forward if there was not enough voltage? So a voltage drop (either at the battery, or somewhere between the battery and solenoid) could cause this scenario? I can check the voltage at the battery easily enough. I did this not so long ago and I believe the voltage stayed above 10 Volts while the cranking happened, which I think is good. I could try test the voltage at the solenoid under the same condition. I am not sure if the solenoid is easy to get to but I can have a look.

Movano have so many different starters... I took only one example, this may not your one...

The clicking starter noise on any vehicle is the power supply (battery) or power delivery (cables, terminals) problem. Easy voltage drop test by multimeter (select DC voltage, black test lead COM and red to V): Negative aka ground side, one lead directly to battery negative post and other to starter body (somewhere near to mounting bolts). If you see DC0.00V it is excellent. Positive side one lead to battery positive post and other to starter positive post (big red cable post). If you see DC0.00V it is excellent. Ok, there is never 0.00V exactly, always is small drop thanks for resistance. Corrosion increase the resistance. The good test is performed under the load condition. Be very careful! Use alligator clips if necessary to avoid touching the moving parts.

Freewheeling is some kind of mechanical problem and need to addressed soon as possible to avoid bigger damage. The easy shopping days may be is over, you may need to wait days or weeks the replacement (supply problem). You have enough knowledge to test and check everything.

jace_da_face

Mick's Garage and the likes have replacement starters for €100. Too good to be true? I have heard it mentioned these are cheap Chinese junk, not meant to last.

Thanks again!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118078810#Comment_118078810

cheap aka remanufactured old garbage. Chinese makes brand new too but these does not last.

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058214941/freewheeling-starter-motor

Pinion is engaged - starter motor wouldn't spin if it wasn't. Over - run clutch in the pinion is slipping & needs to be replaced.

jace_da_face

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118081827#Comment_118081827

That sounds like a rational explanation to what must be happening. Thank you.