4bd1 starter motor?

[tona]

     HI MEMBERS,DID silly thing the other day and removed the starter from the engine to give it a clean up , found everything in good nik, cleaned commie , regressed bearings , removed the little solinoid or contractor as some may know it wiped /cleaned contact points down they were not bad , put it all back and guess what, the B,,,,, starter will not work properly unless there is at least 12 volts at the contractor, yeh i know why did i play with it , any how checks voltage at the contractor i am only getting 11.1 volts at the contactor ,any ideas as to where i could be  getting the volt drop , thanks in advanceP.S PRINCE OR DARKNESS IS AT IT AGAIN.

[David]

Tona I had the same issue but my problem was the nut holding the 12v connection was loose and I expect youv'e checked that

[dugite]

did you remove either of the battery lead clamps for safety when you did it tona ?

what is the present battery voltage ?

[Philthy]

Just a suggestion you could connect a battery charger to the battery then recheck the voltage. Or have you taken reading at the battery terminals as well?

[tona]

   G/AY GUYS yeh been away for a couple of days , just got back , battery voltage checked at main battery terminal bolted on starter 12.5 volts , turn sign switch to start position 11.2 volts , as soon as i put 12.5 volts to the contractor it will start, yes removed battery terminal before removing the starter, have since removed starter relay hot wired to a temporary starter switch all good so whats wrong , is it the relay or the bloody wiring causing the issue, thanks again in advance TONA.

[Philthy]

Not a definitive answer mate sorry but personally I would like to see well over 13 volts at the battery and the starter motor on mine stationary.

I’m wondering what's drawing down on the voltage when the ignition switch is used? Like lights, fan or a short circuit that's not supplying enough Amps to the starter.

Id do a load test on the battery just to eliminate it. A voltage reading is only half the story and a load test is needed to be sure.

BTW have a squiz at the earth strap between the engine block and chassis.

Did you bench test the starter before reinstalling it? 

Another thing you can do is use another car running with jumper leads and it starts fine Id replace the battery because you know the starter is fine.

Good luck with it. Phil   

[tona]

   THANKS FOR GETTING BACK PHILTHY, I have since removed the starter relay and hot wired it directly to a press starter switch , all good starts every time  with voltage at 12.5 at the poss lead going on to the starter terminal, am leaning toward a faulty relay  or earth on the relay  have yet to check this out, meantime the temp starter  switch will keep me going , any thoughts on relay earths and where they are thanks TONA,.

[tona]

   HI FILTHY, Just got back from a 2990 k trip all went well ,rechecked battery voltage at the battery 12.9 volts when i got back , rechecked battery voltage 3 days later battery voltage down to 11,9 volts , seems to be leaning toward a tired battery which is at least 2.3 years old, am going to recheck at a later date to see if voltage drops further, if it still goes down a battery will be purchased, i will repost when /if i get a result ,thanks again for your help,TONA.