2002 RX starter relay or starter motor ? Battery fully charged, push start and relay "clicks" (brand new as I thought the original was bad).

[mpgazelle]

Fully charged battery, relay "clicks" (brand new as I thought original was bad, new one clicks just like the old one). Starter motor does not engage, unit makes no sound but the relay clicking. It would do this last year and after repeatedly pushing start button it would in fact start. Where do I look next ??

 

[artr]

First make sure your battery reads close to 12V when you try to engage the starter. It may be fully charged but if worn out it won't be able to support the load of the stater. Then you can short across the top of the starter relay with a insulated handle screwdriver to check if the new relay is also bad (I have read on the forum where that happens with aftermarket ones). If that does not engage the starter then I would check the resistance of the large red cables that go from the battery to the starter relay and the relay to the starter. Also test that the starter has a good ground to the engine block. It may be the brushes in the starter are worn and dirty and need replacement. You could independently check the starter with jumper cables to the battery. It can be done with the starter in the ski but be careful with the connections.

 

[mpgazelle]

Thanks, relay is good....motor turns by hand with plugs out so I'm assuming it is in fact the starter...I had difficulties last year but it always finally started but has sat all winter......fogging oil, etc. Beyond my capabilities at this point.....

 

[artr]

While it is probably the starter, all of the above things should be checked if you bring it to a qualified mechanic. Cables an connections are a lot easier and less costly to repair/replace than the starter. Also if your starter is the original OEM starter (that lasted over 20 years) you should find a qualified shop that rebuilds them and not just replace it with an aftermarket starter. You can find numerous references to the unreliability of aftermarket starters on the forum. Replacing the brushes and cleaning up the commutator is usually all it needs and is a DIY job with a brush kit you can get on ebay. Good luck.

 

[mpgazelle]

Thanks for the advice. I did speak to the mechanic and he told me they would opt to rebuild, etc before installing a new one....pretty good shop with a ton of experience.

 

[POPPS]

I Always start the battery,,get it up at least 12.6 V and then load test it. Relays can be finicky,,,appear to be fine,,,but internally have some corrosion and poor contact,,,I like to take a jumper cable directly to the starter positive terminal, and jump it to totally rule the starter out,,,since it is hard to remove ,,,Usually a new set of OEM brushes brings them back to original life,,,

 

[frogman112]

I've got a similar situation with my 2004 GTX. New battery, new starter relay, checked all of the connections, checked the resistance of all of the wires from end to end, and as far as I can tell the starter switch is good.

The starter will attempt to turn but sounds like it immediately "gets stuck". I can feel the solenoid moving.

I removed the starter, hooked it to a battery, and it cranked over several times immediately at full speed. Could it be a case where the starter doesn't spin when it's installed and under load? Would this be due to bad brushes?

 

[mikidymac]

Can you turn the engine over completely by hand?

 

[etemplet]

I Always start the battery,,get it up at least 12.6 V and then load test it. Relays can be finicky,,,appear to be fine,,,but internally have some corrosion and poor contact,,,I like to take a jumper cable directly to the starter positive terminal, and jump it to totally rule the starter out,,,since it is hard to remove ,,,Usually a new set of OEM brushes brings them back to original life,,,

That is my routine as well.

 

[frogman112]

Yes, the engine turns over freely.

What's the proper method to jump the starter while in the ski without causing damage to the electrical system? When I had the starter out, I just used 12 gauge wire with alligator clips directly from the battery.

 

[etemplet]

Ground the negative cable and touch the positive to the positive post on the starter. I'm sure there is a prescribed method for the utmost safety but that's all I do. I use a small set up jumper cables

 

[frogman112]

Jumped the starter from the battery and the same noise was produced by the starter. Probably poor contact between the brushes and commutator. Looks like a new starter is on the horizon.