Beautiful night last night, thought I'd take the Zed for a pint with the wife. Parked outside a busy pub right by the sea. Lots of onlookers-Big smile!!!

 

Gets back in the car a little later with lots of onlookers again, turn the key and my face is as red as my paintwork.

 

Why does that squeal when the starter motor won't turn have to be so loud!!! Fortunately the third turn of the key and we were off, pretty quickly!!!!!!

 

So it looks like replacement as although it hasn't done this for a couple of months embarrasing moments in life should always tried to be avoided.

 

Only question is guys, could it be that starter relay thingy?????

I'm thinking not, presuming that I've either got slipping teeth or it's just on it's way out.

 

By the way I have a brand new heavy duty big bugger of a battery so no problems there!!!

Your big bugger of a battery, are you certain that its fully charged?

got the same problem,fitted a new battery and it's been fine. :D

 

Bob

I also got this problem, the battery is fine though. It sounds awful when ti does it, is it doing it serious damage?

Nothing wrong with battery at all. Output is fine.

It'll be the teeth on either the starter or the ring gear or probably both, cos if its been going on a while, the damaged one willwear the other item too.

Ring gears are around £90-95 from Nissan IIRC, and starters are around £260-270 I think.

 

HTH

Adam

Alright Andrew,

 

I have the exact same problem as you, its far worse in the colder months, as it rarely does it at the mo.

 

What you will find is like the others have said, the gears in the started hav worn, and you will find play in the spindle too, the gears dont mesh correctly and they slip, making the bloody horrible noise, i tried to recon the strated myself, and prob could if it wasnt for the gears, i can cure the play in the spindle using a washer as a shim, but i have just taken the easy route out and got a second hand one from andy Z, 45 quid, that will do me.

 

Might be worth giving him a shout, although i have a garage near me that didnt list the parts for the starter, but said they would totally recon it for no more than 60quid??? cheap....

 

If you need any help wiv taking the starter apart to have a closer look, give me a shout i have it documented wiv digi pics to help if needed.

 

Just be thankful its the gears inside the starter that aint meshing cause this can cause teeth chipping, and if it chipped your fly wheels teeth then your looking at a fair amount of cash to part with.

 

Good luck mate

 

Paul

Cheers for advice lads.

 

I am having 2 new turbo's fitted in the next couple of weeks so whilst engine is out I think we'll take starter off and check condition along with ring gear.

 

Re-con starter sounds good as buying one second-hand could result in similar situation but I have the chance to check it out whilst turbo's are being done!!!

 

Andrew

I concur. Also got a 2nd hand one from AndyZ.

 

Mine was doing exactly what yours was doing. Basically the

bendix screw thing was buggered and the clutch inside wasn't

working properly.

 

It's supposed to turn one way and not the other, and sort of free wheel until it gets all the way out and engages with the flywheel.

 

What happens is that they get on a bit, and don't free wheel sometimes...

 

so the the starter cog on the bendix is actually spinning when it hits your flywheel..

 

baaaagrrgggggg noise... and it doesn't do your flywheel any good either.

 

I farted about with mine (cleaning it with loads of WD40, etc and taking it all to bits), but you can only disassemble so far, and can't get inside the clutch.

 

Replacement from Andy Z, and no tother a baw since then.

 

Bit of advice though : watch when removing and refitting motor, as the steel screws will very easily thread the aluminium cast gear box casing.. which ain't good.

 

stu