Where is the starter motor

NamedBat · 24th March 2015, 09:41

Hi All

I have a starting problem. It came on suddenly and when I turn the key all the lights come on but no crank, not even a click. Reading through lots of post I am hoping it is just a loose connection on the starter, at least that is where I am going to start looking.

Issue is, my car is on the street rather than drive so I want to spend as little time under there as I have to. I believe the starter is on the bottom of the engine, but can anyone tell me exactly where the starter motor is on a 1.8 petrol, manual ZT and how reachable the connections are?

Thank you
Adam

Walter · 24th March 2015, 09:46

Under the battery box-hope this helps

NamedBat · 24th March 2015, 10:30

Thanks Walter, I will take a look later. Is it high enough to reach without getting under the car?

Walter · 24th March 2015, 10:32

take battery out,then battery box, then you can see starter

suzublu · 24th March 2015, 10:33

Sounds like a flat battery to me

Avulon · 24th March 2015, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

Sounds like a flat battery to me

Check battery first - and don't try and start it off jump leads! Jump leads only seem to work on these cars if the battery is only struggling a bit, when it's this dead they won't help at all and may cause damage to the electronics (or they may not, but it's unlikely to start either way).

NamedBat · 24th March 2015, 12:40

HI, I dont think it is a flat battery, reason being, on Saturday morning I turned the key, all the ingition lights came on but no crank. It did this twice, not even a click from the solenoid. On the third time it fired up perfectly and drove 35 miles without a problem.

Then Saturday afternoon when I tried again, all the lights came on but nothing again, not even a click. I was on a slope so rolled it and jumped it in 2nd and it started straight up. Drove home with no issues at all. But got home, and again, turn the key, all the electrics are working, but no crank, not even a click again.

I have another car at home so I guess I could get the leads out to try the battery, but i just dont see it being that.

What do you think?

planenut · 24th March 2015, 12:42

Check the connections first, then think "sensors".

Avulon · 24th March 2015, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by NamedBat

I have another car at home so I guess I could get the leads out to try the battery, but i just dont see it being that.

What do you think?

Swap the battery from the other car, if it's still the same then take a look at the starter solenoid. you should be able to see it on a 1.8 without having to remove the battery box (but may have to remove the airbox). Could be the starter solenoid is sticking/not making contact. Search on the forum for solenoid repair kit for more info.

NamedBat · 24th March 2015, 13:26

OK, so battery first, then connections, the 'sensors'. I'm due to swap the pollen filter out anyway, so may as well do this at the same time. Though if I get to sensors I will be back.........
thanks all.

24th March 2015, 09:41	#1
NamedBat Newbie MG-ZT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wallington, Surrey Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where is the starter motor Hi All I have a starting problem. It came on suddenly and when I turn the key all the lights come on but no crank, not even a click. Reading through lots of post I am hoping it is just a loose connection on the starter, at least that is where I am going to start looking. Issue is, my car is on the street rather than drive so I want to spend as little time under there as I have to. I believe the starter is on the bottom of the engine, but can anyone tell me exactly where the starter motor is on a 1.8 petrol, manual ZT and how reachable the connections are? Thank you Adam

24th March 2015, 09:46	#2
Walter Posted a thing or two zebadee Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 135 Thanked 207 Times in 192 Posts	Under the battery box-hope this helps

24th March 2015, 10:30	#3
NamedBat Newbie MG-ZT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wallington, Surrey Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Walter, I will take a look later. Is it high enough to reach without getting under the car?

24th March 2015, 10:32	#4
Walter Posted a thing or two zebadee Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 135 Thanked 207 Times in 192 Posts	take battery out,then battery box, then you can see starter

24th March 2015, 10:33	#5
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,952 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Sounds like a flat battery to me

24th March 2015, 12:40	#7
NamedBat Newbie MG-ZT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wallington, Surrey Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	HI, I dont think it is a flat battery, reason being, on Saturday morning I turned the key, all the ingition lights came on but no crank. It did this twice, not even a click from the solenoid. On the third time it fired up perfectly and drove 35 miles without a problem. Then Saturday afternoon when I tried again, all the lights came on but nothing again, not even a click. I was on a slope so rolled it and jumped it in 2nd and it started straight up. Drove home with no issues at all. But got home, and again, turn the key, all the electrics are working, but no crank, not even a click again. I have another car at home so I guess I could get the leads out to try the battery, but i just dont see it being that. What do you think?

24th March 2015, 12:42	#8
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,978 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Check the connections first, then think "sensors".

24th March 2015, 13:26	#10
NamedBat Newbie MG-ZT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wallington, Surrey Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK, so battery first, then connections, the 'sensors'. I'm due to swap the pollen filter out anyway, so may as well do this at the same time. Though if I get to sensors I will be back......... thanks all.