Starter motor not engaging?

[JonnyBoy]

Over the last couple of weeks my S reg, 2.7TD LWB Terrano II has not been starting very well. On 1st turn the starter sounds as though it’s not engaging properly and makes an awful grinding sound. It eventually seems to engage on subsequent 'turn overs' but is gradually doing it more frequently. I only had a 'reconditioned' starter fitted 18 months ago although for a different reason. Now for the questions is this a common problem? Can I fix it myself? I have a mate who works for Nissan dealership and he got me a price for a new motor, but reckons there are 2 different sorts - Mitsubishi and Hitachi - and they are not interchangeable, also flipping expensive (250 - 330 quid) any ideas on this? I also contacted a local factor group and they said they would need to know whether it’s a 2 or 2.5 kW starter motor, and a better 130 quid plus VAT.
It’s still starting Ok but I reckon the writing is on the wall for the starter so any help greatly appreciated. I have trawled through the other posts and can’t seem to find any specific to my problem although plenty on other starter problems.

I also wasn't sure whether mechanical or electrical forum for starter problems?

Many Thanxs in advance,

JonnyBoy

 

[terranokid]

yes one starter motor has 1 more tooth than the other if i remember right the 2kw has 10 teeth and the 2.5 has 9 teeth but as far as i am aware the ring gear on the flywheel is the same so they should be interchangeable.

The engine will always stop in on of 4 places just before a compression stroke and its sounds like your ring gear may be damaged but the only way to be sure is to remove the starter and have a good look at the complete ring gear. unfortunaley if the ring gear is damaged you will need a new flywheel

Just checked it out the hitachi one has 9 teeth and was fitted upto 1998 if you have an hitachi one you will also have a hitachi Maffs sensor

 

[drivewasher]

In the spring this year I took my eldest sons powerboat starter motor to be repaired, searched everywhere for someone who could convince me they knew what they where talking about, as it was a real odd ball motor.
Anyway ended up in Heywood near Bury, the guys there repair motors in a big way. We got talking about Terrano/Mistrals starter motors. From our convesation I gathered that the motor on my 1996 pre intercooler 2.7 TD as my motor sometimes seemed to carry on running once engine started for abou 3 seconds, he said that sounded like a gearbox problem common on these motors. When He saw me scratching my head, before I opened my mouth, he said the gearbox on the starter motor, as they have some sort of reduction gearbox on em that gives problems, including not engaging flywheel

 

[JonnyBoy]

Just braved the elements and checked under the bonnet. The Maffs sensor fitted is Bosch type. This was changed just after I bought the car, will they always be changed like for like or is it possible to fit Bosch into Hitachi? If Bosch was the original does it mean I have the 2kw, 10 teeth type starter motor? Many thanxs for help so far.

 

[terranokid]

the bosch and hitachi maffs are totally different and not interchangable so in therory you should have a bosch starter but i cant see why it would make much difference the 9 tooth one will turn the engine over slower than a 10 tooth one but i have looked and although there were two types of starter there was only one flywheel availible so the starters should be interchangable . i would brave the cold and remove the starter and have a good look at the ring gear i am sure you will find one damaged area.

 

[Toolbox]

Is there no ring gear available to fit to the flywheel, I have changed many over the years on other machines and it’s a very simple task.

It may be worth removing the starter and making sure the starter gear is not tight when it slides in to contact with the ring gear, clutch dust can cause them to become tight and not mesh correctly with the flywheel a bit of wd40 or the like can work wonders

 

[terranokid]

If the flywheel has 6 bolts you may be able to turn the flywheel round on set of bolts so that it stops in a different place but you need to check the ring gear first it maybe a starter motor fault

 

[JonnyBoy]

First of all sorry for delay in posting solution.

Removed old unit and confirmed it was a Bosch starter. Looking at ring gear that looked all OK. Fitted factory refurbished unit, which I thought was quite easy, but maybe having a sixteen year old son who has arms thinner than Jerry Hall helped. Started the car and thought all was OK, but when engine has fired and the motor was disengaging (is that a word) the motor made a terrible squeal. So took off and re-fitted the old one back on. Got the second replacement and lo and behold it wasn't a Bosch. Anyway decided to go with Terranokids expertise and fitted it, all OK starts like a dream.

Doesn't fill you with confidence though on supposed refurbished stuff. Fingers crossed for another 2 years!!!!

Many thanks again.

JonnyBoy

 

[JonnyBoy]

iii

 

[mav]

iii

Sorry but i dont know if i am slacking but does "iii" stand for something or should i delete the post?.

Mav

 

[terranokid]

Perhaps he has a stutter?