Help with starter Motor

[shady_cb]

Hi,

Need help and fast, quick detail the car is a renault 5 GTL 1983 the 1.1 i think. y reg

My girlfriends cars starter motor just makes a clicking noise whenever I she turn the key so it wont start.

I have removed all the bolts (3 of them) it is now loose and free but I can get it out tight space that it is in.

SO what is the best items to remove to get it out, I have never worked on a car before so the simple stuff is best for me eg don’t wont to touch manifold etc,

There is a bracket thing that is connected to the engine and car and also the car side has the clutch cable and bracket attached to it. I feel if I can remove them this would be my best bet. Question is will the engine fall out if I take these of and are they easy to connect.

Also I am guessing 9/10 the clicking noise is a screwed starter motor.


Ps picture help

 

[malcolm]

The bracket with the clutch cable needs to be removed - just unhook the end of the clutch cable from the gearbox by pulling the lever up with a bit of rope, and then undo the bracket. Goes back on fine and the engine shouldn't move.

Starter will still be fiddly to remove (very tight fit) but should be possible with some twisting and wiggling. Normally the problem will be dirt in the solenoid - I often clean them up and put the starter back on the car. http://www.renault4.co.uk/tech-starter-motor.htm

 

[shady_cb]

thanks for that will go and try it now,


must admit the engine shouldn't move phrase did not inspire much confidence.


will i just have to remove the car end of the bracket and twist it down or will i need to remove it from the engine as well.

 

[Lobster]

You might also find it helpful to loosen the n/s engine mounting and use a trolley jack and piece of wood under the sump to lift the engine a cm or so. Gives a little bit more room. its still tight but with the clutch cable arm out of the way it is possible.

(though it is six or seven years since I did one on a R5 Mk1 )

 

[shady_cb]

right i manged to get the new starter in, but found that i couldn't change gear or get it into reverse, i i guess it was because the clutch cable became stretched so i tighten that on the last thread and seemed to sort the problem out.

would this be right?

Also i have been try to do this for 2 days with the battary disconnected and the car needs a jump start to get it to go. so i guess it does should the new starter works. please can you confirm this.


also once i use jump lead to start it take them off and turn the car off and try to start it again it does not start i know this is normal but my light radio etc work does this just mean my battery is weak and the car needs a good run around.

 

[timinder]

Yes. I don't suppose you want to hear this now, but maybe the flat battery was the problem in the first place!
When you were trying to start it, did you notice any lights that were on (on the dash, courtesy light etc.) get dimmer as you turned the key?
This would indicate that the battery was supplying enough power to pull the solenoid in (the 'click' you heard), but not enough to then turn the engine over!
Now you're up and running (or once you are again!) get jump-started, take the leads off and leave it running for a fair while to get some charge into the battery. (I wouldn't go for a drive straight away - in case it stalls somewhere and you get stuck!)

Good luck!

 

[shady_cb]

hi yes i am starting to think this myself now, but when this first happened a guy try to get the car going with jump leads and all we got was clicking so we did have the power to get the car going but it just clicked.

the reason i dont think it could of bee nthe battery in the first place is because the car had been drive 15mins then stalled tried to re start and just clicking.


Now all i get is a flat battery noise and no clicking, so i hoping flatted the battery while working n the car. as long as the car works once i put the recharged battery i wont mind.

 

[malcolm]

Starter motors doing that are very common on R4s and R5s. It's because they are open to the clutch housing and the electrics get filled with dust. That's happened to me three times on different cars now.

If a new battery or jump start doesn't sort the problem for the new starter do post back. I once managed to reverse the terminals on the solenoid. That stopped it from clicking. I found it is possible to remove the solenoid in situ, but it's a blind job so you have to know where everything is and where things should go and work by feel.

 

[SeaKayaker]

My Quatrelle has the same symptoms: Battery OK, and even with jump leads from a 2nd battery, the starter gives the impression of a flat battery. Feed cable and earth cable are OK.
This mornings plan: remove the starter, strip clean reassemble, refit.
I am also struggling to get the darn thing out!!!
I have just stopped for a coffee, and a quick look here. Next, is to follow Malcolm's advice to remove the clutch cable bracket.