Starter Motor Failure

[Lukeyboy2k]

On 26/06/2019 at 16:25, Bruss said:

Interesting info here for DIY types.

 

https://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f417/replacing-starter-motor-brush-yoke-265129/

Just done this myself this week. Reconditioned the starter motor using £11.19 parts:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183038132998?mkevt=1&mkcid=0&mkpid=0&emsid=0&ufes_redirect=true&ul_noapp=true

 

So far, so good.  

[Cdm2018]

37 minutes ago, Lukeyboy2k said:

Just done this myself this week. Reconditioned the starter motor using £11.19 parts:

Had you noticed or concluded why these units are failing ? 

[Lukeyboy2k]

I'm a complete novice to be honest, but my observation was the brushes were very worn (maybe half the original size?) and subsequently the motor was filled with the dust.

 

My car has just clocked 90,000 miles and probably had thousands of starting cycles. I'm not really sure what the expectant lifetime of such an item should be.

[Cdm2018]

Ok that’s sounds fair wear and tear I had two failures the last after only 18 months and I drove the car once a week generally 

anyway glad you sorted I managed to get complete replacement under lotus warranty thankfully 

[AdeMorton]

On 21/04/2023 at 08:06, Lukeyboy2k said:

Just done this myself this week. Reconditioned the starter motor using £11.19 parts:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183038132998?mkevt=1&mkcid=0&mkpid=0&emsid=0&ufes_redirect=true&ul_noapp=true

 

So far, so good.  

@Lukeyboy2k when you did this, did you remove the starter from the top once the air box is out etc... or did you need to access from below. I'm planning to do this this week as my starter has gone I think. I just get this 'fluttering' noise when I try and start the car?

[Lukeyboy2k]

From the top mate - took out the airbox etc. You have to feel around for the bolts to release the starter motor as visibility isn't very good.... and from memory, I think some of the bolt/socket sizes were slightly different to those listed in the guide I followed.

[grog]

I've just refurbished a starter as a spare.

The old one had a lot of rust/corrosion of the brush plate inside. It seems that water finds it way in and gets trapped.

 

 

[AdeMorton]

It does seem a common problem looking at the many comments about it, I've just ordered a new brush plate and armature so hoping to refurbish mine, was hoping to avoid the cost of a new one - £530 from Lotus or £400 from Eliseparts!