Hi, I wonder if other people have experienced as many starter motor failures as I have,
I bought my 2001 model 3.2 model in 2012 , and I have just lost my 4rth starter motor on this vehicle.
Every year almost to the same month, the starter breaks.
Every time a swapout unit is installed,which apparently is remanufactured in Gauteng.
My car always starts within a few swings ( hot or cold) it is not laboured while starting ( Automatic ) and is used normally , so it is not constantly stopped/started.
I already know the symptoms , the engine swings a bit slower and takes longer to fire, but it takes a while until the starter finally cannot swing the engine. This last time it went bad within 24 hours ( 5 starts) and is nou gone.
(Yes , I have tested the battery)
Anyone?
Watch out for diesel spill on the starter. The diesel filter sits right on top of the starter and diesel filter changes, if not done with sufficient protection like plastic bags and some rags under the filter will spill some diesel onto the starter and start clogging it up. Add some dusty roads and they dont last long.
CATS
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CATS
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2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
Hi Cats , I did a search on the various forums and found what you say as well.
I took the starter off today and opened it. The brushes and commutaror completely gunked up with a black paste.
At least one of the brushes are worn down to almost nothing, will try to have it fixed at the auto electricians tomorrow.
It is a nicely manufactured unit, but the different body sections do not have O-rings or seals where they fit together, and I presume these are the ingress points.
I am going to experiment with some sealant and see if it lasts longer this time.
I took the starter off today and opened it. The brushes and commutaror completely gunked up with a black paste.
At least one of the brushes are worn down to almost nothing, will try to have it fixed at the auto electricians tomorrow.
It is a nicely manufactured unit, but the different body sections do not have O-rings or seals where they fit together, and I presume these are the ingress points.
I am going to experiment with some sealant and see if it lasts longer this time.
When replacing the fuel filter, remove the two 8mm bolts that secure the bracket to the firewall. Loosen off the inlet and outlet pipes (mark hoses if you are not clear what is inlet / outlet) hardly any/ very little diesel will flow / leak from the pipes, unplug the water trap wire and remove the fuel filter from the vehicle while still attached to the bracket. That way any fuel spillage will occur away from the vehicle. You will now need a vice or similar to hold the bracket while removing the filter. Remove the water trap from the filter first. Be careful not to damage the plastic water trap unit. Gentle use of water pump pliers normally works. When the water trap is removed the fuel in the filter can run out into a container and the filter can now be removed with a filter wrench.
If your nose runs, it is the result of another problem (flu). Wiping your nose does not cure the flu.
If a part keeps on failing, it is fair to come to the conclusion that the part is the result of a problem, not the cause.
Find the cause of the problem and fix that, otherwise you will be replacing starter motors forever.
If it was an inherent Pajero problem most (if not all) would suffer the same failure.
If a part keeps on failing, it is fair to come to the conclusion that the part is the result of a problem, not the cause.
Find the cause of the problem and fix that, otherwise you will be replacing starter motors forever.
If it was an inherent Pajero problem most (if not all) would suffer the same failure.
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
Hi 4E , I actually agree with you, hence my question if others have the same issue as me.
In all my years of car ownership I have never experienced a starter failure on any other car. My Colt 2.8 did well over 600K kms over 10 years, neither was there an issue with that one.
Do you have any suggestions what may be a contributing factor to such early wear? My Paj is an Auto , so can only start in Park and Neutral, , and fires up under 2 seconds.
I removed and opened the unit and found the brushes and commutator smothered in a black paste.
I cleaned it out properly and saw that 2 of the brushes were badly worn. I had 4x new brushes installed, reasembled te unit and installed it , seems to be working fine , although it does seem slower than before but swings the motor at a consistent speed .
Anton
In all my years of car ownership I have never experienced a starter failure on any other car. My Colt 2.8 did well over 600K kms over 10 years, neither was there an issue with that one.
Do you have any suggestions what may be a contributing factor to such early wear? My Paj is an Auto , so can only start in Park and Neutral, , and fires up under 2 seconds.
I removed and opened the unit and found the brushes and commutator smothered in a black paste.
I cleaned it out properly and saw that 2 of the brushes were badly worn. I had 4x new brushes installed, reasembled te unit and installed it , seems to be working fine , although it does seem slower than before but swings the motor at a consistent speed .
Anton
Anton,
There are so many unknowns in your thread.
There are so many unknowns in your thread.
- Were the replacements supplied by the same supplier?
- Did they use reman. parts or new?
- etc.
- Check whether the starter is seated correctly (abnormal tooth wear on either /or the starter or ring gear should show if it does not)
- Double-check your cables to the starter.
- Provide a separate earth cable directly to the starter (if it is not provided in any case).
- Put a volt meter over the starter terminals and check for an abnormal voltage drop during cranking.
- Drive the Pajero for another say 5000km, remove the starter and check for an abnormal wear pattern or 'gunk' build-up
(the 'gunk' could be from the fast-wearing brushes).
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
Thanks Gerhard, some good points there.
There is no separate earth cable to the starter, only the engine is earthed. I will have a look at this as it is starting to ring some bells for me. I find the now newly fixed starter sometimes runs full speed on cranking and other times much slower, but still cranks the engine.
I have read on other sites about a Relay modification in the switcing circuit , as apparently the ignition switch cannot handle the solenoid current as it gets older. Any advice on that?
Anton
There is no separate earth cable to the starter, only the engine is earthed. I will have a look at this as it is starting to ring some bells for me. I find the now newly fixed starter sometimes runs full speed on cranking and other times much slower, but still cranks the engine.
I have read on other sites about a Relay modification in the switcing circuit , as apparently the ignition switch cannot handle the solenoid current as it gets older. Any advice on that?
Anton
i find this interesting. i have a 2004 did GLS 3.2. for the last four years i have had to replace a starter each year. usually in the last few months of the year. that's except for alternator failures, battery failures and a never ending search to get the accesories sorted out. i shall try these pointers and see if it can be resolved. thank you.