Starter Issues
Posted: 05 Jan 2016 11:33
I've had a bad morning. Have a doctor's appointment for a spider bite (presumably sac spider). I also have to renew both vehicle licenses today. Get all my paperwork together. Climb in the 'trol.
I turn the key to start, and all I hear is the solenoid clicking. Nothing else. Except for the laughter of cruiser drivers...
Measure voltage on battery. Fine. Get my spare battery out to jump start. Nothing. Just the click of the solenoid... (and cruiser laughter).
Next step: fuses and fusable links. All fine.
So, it is time to pull the starter. This is a horrible job on the 4.5. It's virtually impossible to get at the starter motor without stripping other things. In any case, after about 20 minutes of swearing, bruised knuckles and dirt in my eyes (the only place I could get a clear view to disconnect the cables was from underneath), I get the unit out.
In short: Very small issue. The bolt keeping the live feed from the solenoid to the starter had worked its way loose over time. Cleaned everything up with sandpaper. Tightened everything. Returned everything. All is good with the world again.
Crappy job, but glad I got it sorted. It is also my first "larger" mechanical Patrol repair job. So I'm feeling rather chuffed with myself...
What I've learnt for this (in case it helps others):
1: Remove the harness clip to the starter and the live feed to the solenoid lug from beneath the vehicle with 12 spanner.
2: Loosen the top starter bolt (14 spanner) from the top of the motor until the bolt can be hand turned.
3: Remove the top starter bolt from the bottom (I could not reach from the top).
4: Remove the bottom starter bolt (14 spanner) from the bottom whilst supporting the starter.
5: Guide starter out between chassis and suspension to get a clearer look at the bits.
Installation is a reverse of the removal.
Oh - and disconnect battery before doing anything. But I guess that can safely be assumed.
I turn the key to start, and all I hear is the solenoid clicking. Nothing else. Except for the laughter of cruiser drivers...
Measure voltage on battery. Fine. Get my spare battery out to jump start. Nothing. Just the click of the solenoid... (and cruiser laughter).
Next step: fuses and fusable links. All fine.
So, it is time to pull the starter. This is a horrible job on the 4.5. It's virtually impossible to get at the starter motor without stripping other things. In any case, after about 20 minutes of swearing, bruised knuckles and dirt in my eyes (the only place I could get a clear view to disconnect the cables was from underneath), I get the unit out.
In short: Very small issue. The bolt keeping the live feed from the solenoid to the starter had worked its way loose over time. Cleaned everything up with sandpaper. Tightened everything. Returned everything. All is good with the world again.
Crappy job, but glad I got it sorted. It is also my first "larger" mechanical Patrol repair job. So I'm feeling rather chuffed with myself...
What I've learnt for this (in case it helps others):
1: Remove the harness clip to the starter and the live feed to the solenoid lug from beneath the vehicle with 12 spanner.
2: Loosen the top starter bolt (14 spanner) from the top of the motor until the bolt can be hand turned.
3: Remove the top starter bolt from the bottom (I could not reach from the top).
4: Remove the bottom starter bolt (14 spanner) from the bottom whilst supporting the starter.
5: Guide starter out between chassis and suspension to get a clearer look at the bits.
Installation is a reverse of the removal.
Oh - and disconnect battery before doing anything. But I guess that can safely be assumed.