testing a starter motor (1 Viewer)

[monzer]

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 £60 so would rather get this one going again if possible.

 

[Carpmart]

Give it a few taps with a hammer…

 

[Figaro]

Wasn't a Sunday evening purchase after a bottle of Shiraz was it ?
Had a few of those moments myself

Sorry, I can't help with the starter motor
Hope you get it sorted

 

[L' Hobo]

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.

 

[Colino]

There's ways of checking it with a multi tester take a look on you tube.

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[mitzimad]

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

 

[gus-lopez]

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.

 

[monzer]

Wasn't a Sunday evening purchase after a bottle of Shiraz was it ?
Had a few of those moments myself

Sorry, I can't help with the starter motor
Hope you get it sorted

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.

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

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.

 

[monzer]

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.

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.

 

[Carpmart]

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.

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

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[monzer]

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

Thanks, I will try that again. Now I have the fuel tank off so a bit more space to get in to hit it.

 

[pappajohn]

No neutral on this thing just a forward and revers

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.

 

[monzer]

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.

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.

 

[pappajohn]

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.

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

 

[Orion]

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.

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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[monzer]

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.

Yeah new battery and it's been sitting there a good few months ago doing nothing. Still holding a decent charge.

 

[pappajohn]

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.

 

[L' Hobo]

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?

 

[monzer]

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?

 

[gus-lopez]

Any suggestions?

Try a jump lead from negative to engine in case the earth has been lost/us/ rusty etc

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[Carpmart]

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?

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…

 

[L' Hobo]

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…

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!

 

[monzer]

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!

I don't know who made the engine but this is part of the spec sheet that I got with it....

 

[pappajohn]

260cc......is it a toy.

How about a photo of the car....someone must recognise it.

 

[monzer]

260cc......is it a toy.

How about a photo of the car....someone must recognise it.

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[pappajohn]

Now I see......it's a kart, not a beach buggy.

 

[monzer]

Now I see......it's a cart, not a beach buggy.

View attachment 622070

Ooh that's nice.

 

[pappajohn]

Did around 1000miles in one similar exploring the coast around South Africa 20 years ago