Starter Motor Failure ?

[bettlejuice]

Broke down yesterday at the petrol station on my '08. Big loud click on pressing the starter button but that's all. Had to get the AA out to recover me, the AA guy wired the starter directly off his battery and it did not turn, so we both figured the starter motor is kaput.We tried all the usual tricks of rocking in gear etc to see if it free it.

Whats involved in pulling the starter motor out? It looks easy on the face of it !

I notice a company on ebay called MANCHESTER AUTO ELECTRICAL LTD offer an exchange service for £ 175 , does anybody rate this service, if not any other ideas other than buying new from BMW?

 

[forest biker]

Broke down yesterday at the petrol station on my '08. Big loud click on pressing the starter button but that's all. Had to get the AA out to recover me, the AA guy wired the starter directly off his battery and it did not turn, so we both figured the starter motor is kaput.We tried all the usual tricks of rocking in gear etc to see if it free it.

Whats involved in pulling the starter motor out? It looks easy on the face of it !

I notice a company on ebay called MANCHESTER AUTO ELECTRICAL LTD offer an exchange service for £ 175 , does anybody rate this service, if not any other ideas other than buying new from BMW?

There not difficult to take off just the plastic cover 'if one on there' and 3 bolts if i remember right , probably needs removing and a good clean espcially the connections what power the starter motor they get pretty shited up over time , just take note if you take it off how the gear on the starter motor engages with the clutch ring gear

 

[littleredrooster]

If you put it in gear, will the engine turn over?

 

[Steve V]

Mine went, not uncommon. Cost me just short of £400 for a new starter fitted. Someone from Ireland was selling a 2nd hand one for £70, I 'm sure he was from Ireland I will check my PM's

 

[Steve V]

patzx12 had one

 

[autogs]

If you put it in gear, will the engine turn over?

bit early for doom and gloom init

 

[Stujw70]

Try this company www.Woodauto.com

They gave me a quote of £120 iirc for a new valeo starter for my 1150. Have a look to see which make and model it is in your 1200 and drop them a line.

If it's anything like a 1150 it should only take 10-15mins to change it out.

Hth

 

[st247]

One Here, off an earlier model though.

 

[jetjock]

Mmmmm. Mine failed last week and replaced under warranty with the dealer telling me that its a very rare occurrence !!

 

[Pukmeister]

Had to get the AA out to recover me, the AA guy wired the starter directly off his battery and it did not turn, so we both figured the starter motor is kaput.

Did he put his leads onto the starter motor itself, or just to your battery terminals ??

It could well be your terminals inside the starter solenoid need a clean.

If it were my bike, I would remove the starter, (3 bolts and two wires) then try it on a fully charged battery on the bench eg large live cable onto the +ve nut, earth to the body of the starter, and briefly touch a pilot +12v wire to the solenoid engage/start terminal:

1) If it then 'engages' the pinion and then it spins, it ain't your starter motor at fault. You need to look elsewhere eg battery/cables/starter relay.
2) If it doesn't 'enagage', it's the engage solenoid that has failed or the pinion operating arm is sticking before reaching full travel.
3) If it 'enagages' the pinion but doesn't turn, it's either your solenoid main contacts need a strip and clean, the motor brushes/commutator are worn, or the main windings have failed.

Worth a strip and clean rather than paying out £140. If it needs new brushes ask at an auto electricians, should be relatively cheap to clean the commutator and fit new ones.