Starter motor issue -1973 240z - rookie enthusiast seeking helpful tips!

[mattc]

Hi guys,

 

Car was working a treat 2 days ago, tried to fire her up yesterday... nothing.

 

Called out RACQ, he grunted at me the starter was done.

 

I pulled it out and hooked it up to a battery, it kicks a bit but doesn't spin or come to life.

 

Is this something that could be repaired relatively easily by an auto electrician or am I best off purchasing a reconditioned starter?

 

Also, I have an auto trans, I notice it requires a diff starter to a manual trans? Please excuse my ignorance but what's the specific reasoning for that? I just want to make sure if I purchase a starter I'm getting it right!!

 

Thanks!

 

[dat2kman]

Solenoid wiring has shorted out.

Easier to get a whole starter replacement.

Go to a wreckers look for one off a rb30 engine straight bolt in.

Get wrecker to test it first!

[pauly_adams]

yep rb30e, rb20de or det and s13 ca18 also fit

[nizm0zed]

echoing what the others have said, the Rb ones will fit.

Take note however, that instead of having the solenoid at the top of the starter motor body, it'll sit outwards of the engine.

Usually this is no problem at all, you may just need to pull the cables a bit to fit.

 

A suggestion? The old starter is worth nothing damaged, may as well pull it apart and see if you can fix it, you'll learn a bit in the process and if successful, you'll end up with a spare starter motor for next time.

[oldmates260z]

I agree with pulling it apart to learn and have a look at it. There are basically two functions to the starter motor:

 

1. Ignition (start) signal goes to solenoid on the side of the starter motor. This throws the starter gear out to engage the flywheel. This sometimes plays up with poor connections or a poor earth.

 

2. The power from the main battery cable is used to spin the starter motor. If the solenoid works and throws the gear out then it is just the starter motor itself that could be the issue. I have not pulled one apart for 20 years but I would guess it could be a stuck brush in the brush holder of something like that.

 

Hope that helps.

[mattc]

Thanks guys your tips have been legendary! I replaced the starter and learnt plenty in the process!!

 

Thanks again!!