Troubleshoot/replace starter

Hi,
I am having a problem starting my Metro. This morning, went out and battery seems okay (lights working, even wipers turn) but no clicking. I hadn't had any problems before starting it.

I tried to jump start but made no difference. Checked the wires to spark plugs, distributor and nothing obvious. I'm thinking it's the starter.

1) Are there any more troubleshooting steps you can recommend to isolate the problem?

2) If it's the starter, is that a difficult or easy job? Does anyone have the procedure?

Thanks a lot.

there's a 60amp fuse in the engine compartment , yellow i think ... fuse box above wheel well near the battery if yours is like mine [91]. unlike the others, it's held in with a nuts not just pushed in. it's worth a look though i don't think the other systems would work without that fuse.

there are some other links to the fuse repair and i'll repost if i can find them.

not likely that the starter just stops. likely a connection somewhere. if it's a manual tranny, there's an interlock with the clutch.

Thanks. I checked the fuse (mine is a 97) and it looks fine to me. Can't see any lose cables either. Does that just leave the starter motor?

I think I found the starter hidden in the back, looks a bit hard to get to. Am I correct in thinking this is the process to replace it?

1) remove leads from battery
2) undo lead attached to starter
3) undo bolts holding starter motor
4) remove

reverse operations. Any tricks or things to be aware of?

....and it's not a manual trans? the clutch interlock could shut you out.

the key switch is still a potential problem. there could be other relays past the switch that i'm not aware of.

if i had to go to the starter anyway, before removing it, i'd try to hit the input terminal / ground directly with 12v +/- respectively ....after isolating the starter from circuits that could be affected ....AND MAKING SURE THAT NO IGNITION OR CAR MOVEMENT WAS POSSIBLE. be careful.

you might also use a vom to see if there is any voltage going to the starter terminal when the key is turned. AGAIN.... BE CAREFULL ...... maybe disconnect the wire first to be safer.

i've never taken the metro starter out so .... i don't directly know more.

R&Ring a starter on these cars is not a hard job. 4cyl, 3cyl, auto or 5spd - you wont be breaking yourself to get it done, but it does help to have: a jack, TWO JACK STANDS, and a creeper.

Redpepe had excellent suggestions for isolating the starter as a problem. Let me clarify a little. There are two wires going to the starter. The big fat one from the battery, and the small 'signal' wire from the ignition. Remove the signal wire, and run a small jumper from the battery + terminal to the signal input on the starter. This should activate the starter and turn the motor.

Also as Redpepe suggested: Use a Volt/Ohm Meter (vom) to test for 12v at the removed signal wire when the key is turned. If you get battery voltage, you know that you're ignition system is okay. Ground your meter to the battery - terminal.

As a quick and dirty diagnosis, I suggest having a friend, relative or pet hold the key in the 'start' position while you whack the starter with a hammer. If the car starts after smacking it, it is most likely your starter.

-MechanicMatt

if you look on starter you will see 2 wires going to it, make sure the small one is on and tight. can also run power to small wire terminal and see if it cranks over, if it does then starter is good

thanks vet and c'price.

aside from my own spotty knowledge, there's a further art to describing these processes ...while not knowing what is known by originators. the 'ground crew', y'all, bill etc. at this metro line have done remarkably well over the years imo ....and i've learned lots, and lots to go. thanks for the thoroughness.

wasn't sure how the firing of the solenoid ['bendix'? ....yikes!] was accomplished specifically ... and figured that in removing the wires to test, they would then be assured of a new clean connection and thorough isolation during powerup.

liked the hammer solution. i presume this 24ozprayer process jarrs the worn starter works back into coaxial position momentarily so that they can turn over one more time [turn over in its grave, as it were].

wonder if it's up and runnin' yet.

I removed the starter on mine from the top. Disconnect battery, remove connections from starter and remove 2 bolts. (12mm) The wire from the solenoid to the starter had rotted off. I soldered in a new one.