Starter motor problem?? Need advice.

[markm1936]

Hi guys. I have a 98 transit with refitted 96 banana type engine. My starter motor has just packed up so I bought a Lucas starter motor from a local yrd which I saw tested and working on the floor. Once I installed the new starter all I'm getting is a clicking sound?? But fires up when the starter is crossed. I'm wondering if it could be the immobiliser or maybe the ignition switch? All is fitted correctly.
Can someone please shed some light on this as I am now stumpped without taking it to the garage and paying out a fortune to get it sorted.
Many thanks.
Mark.

[ginsambo]

Check your wiring to the starter. Check the earth which is bolted to the gearbox is really tight. Check your fuses including the 5A ones. Immobilizer magnet only acts on the fuel pump, so it will still turn over just won't get any fuel.

[markm1936]

Check your wiring to the starter. Check the earth which is bolted to the gearbox is really tight. Check your fuses including the 5A ones.

Hi gin, checked all wires and cables, checked battery connections and all is fine. All earths are fine. Thanks.

[Axle Grease]

I thought i had starter motor problems on my 97 mk5. Turned out to be a poor connection on my battery terminal. I thought it was tight enough.
All i got was 'click click click'. On my van it was the battery terminal nearest to the front that had the smallest crack in it. I put a clamp on it and it is fine.
This may be all thats wrong with yours. I have had no starter problems since i did my temporary repair.

[ginsambo]

I had same problem, earth to gearbox bolt wasn't tight enough and it was tight! If its turning over when you short it then a wire must be making a bad connection somewhere.

[markm1936]

Thanks guys. I shall have a really close look at it this morning and post the results. Hopefully (fingers crossed) It is a dodgy connection somewhere.

[markm1936]

Ok, stripped all wires off battery, cleaned them and reconnected, cleaned earth on starter again, cleaned earth on gearbox, turned ign key.....Click!!
Right. Previous to having my engine changed and previous to me owning it, the previous owner had bypassed the fuel pump and connected a manual pump under the van.
There was a cable comming off the new fuel pump that was not connected to anything so I removed it when I installed the new starter motor.
Last resort I reconnected the cable turned the key and YIPPEE!!! It now runs???? Dn't know why because the cable isn't feeding anything else??
Well thanks guys for the imput and suggestions and maybe I can help someone on here on day.

[Axle Grease]

Glad you got that sorted. Buying new parts is not always the solution. Especially when your van is an older one that has probably had all sorts of work and yes sometimes "bodge jobs" done on it prior to it becoming yours.

re helping others. Thats cool. I've had questions answered on here before and it does make you want to help out if theres something you know a little about. It seems like a nightmare when your van wont work. Yet most (not always) times is something simple. The hard part is finding that simple little thing thats stopping your van from working how it should.