Starter motor spinning car not starting

[carbore]

Hello,

Im trying to get the S3 out to sell and hit a snag. It worked fine when I parked it in th bar a year ago, but now it wont start.

The starter motor seems to sin up nicely and makes a whirring noise (not jsut clicking) but its not engaging. Possibly the battery is iffy, but I think my smar charger said its ok and anyway I tried to jup it and it did the same.

I have given the statermotor a good tapping about with hammer, but need some other ideas, The book says turn the armatue on the square bit, but I cant find it as the unit looks quite sealed up to me?

Is it worth towing it out in gear for a few feet to see if I can get a different mesh on the starter gear?

(PS anyone wanna buy a 3 series)

[hobbit]

It sound like the bendix is stuck, bu it depends on the type of starter, pre-engaged or inertia, either one really means taking it off, the inertia is the easiest of the two to do as you only have to free off the shaft, probably rusted, this can also work for a pre engaged one too, as its normally the shaft that sticks

However check to see if the solenoid is throwing out the bendix on the pre engaged type, try a direct feed wire to the small spade connector on the solenoid on top of the starter

Hope this makes sense, it did in my head :)

[carbore]

Thanks, I have a local enthusiast coming to view tomorrow and hopefully he will either buy it or fix it!

I have enough space to tow start or roll it down hill.

[Saffy]

SIII are inertia aren't they? sounds like starter dog seized up a bit. Take starter off and clean with solvent and lub dog with a light oil until it moves freely on the shaft with flick from your thumb.

[Devon-Rover]

SIII are inertia aren't they? sounds like starter dog seized up a bit. Take starter off and clean with solvent and lube the dog with a light oil until it moves freely on the shaft with flick from your thumb.

What he said. ^^^^^

My series will do the same should i go wading to such a depth to get it in the bell housing as the rubber grommet is useless.  I take it out quick bit of cleaner and then some oil over it does the trick.

[carbore]

Chap came round and said the Dogs "shatter" frequently? does this sound correct. I suppose it makes no odds as it sounds like it needs to come off anyway.

Thanks.

[Les Henson]

Never heard of one shattering - just take the starter off and free the gear off. It's probably just stuck.


Les.