Galaxy 2000 Tdi Starter Problem

[pcshak]

Hi

 

The Ladies Galaxy failed to start today, the starter won't turn over, there's enough power in the battery.

I attempted to put the car in gear and push it a little to see if that would free up the starter, no luck.

When I continue to turn the ignition key the cables to the starter start to get very very hot and I get a smell of burning cable/wires.

 

So, is this just a dead starter or a buggered solenoid?

 

Any ideas anyone?

 

Thanks

[big_kev]

When you pushed it did the car move at all..............

 

I'm thinking siezed engine ?

[chromedome]

Sometimes if you have a bad connection somewhere the starter will draw a lot more amps thus making the wires hot. Check favourites like corrosion on the battery terminals.

 

If there is no sign of any engine movement, then yes possible seizure.

Edited November 20, 2007 by chromedome

[pcshak]

Thanks for the bad news :D

 

The engine does turn when I push the car in gear, so hopefully engine is not seized.

I can't recall the engine showing any symptoms or problems, can they seize up just like that?

Surely it should only seize cos lack of oil or overheating?

 

I suppose the lead from battery to starter is a sign that the starter is trying to turn over the engine but can't. hmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

I suppose the next logical step is to pull out the starter to see if thats working properly, and maybe turn the engine over by hand to see if it is tight or seized.

 

All in all not what I was expecting, a new starter is ok but engine well thats real bad news.

 

There goes the xmas budget down the drain.

[chromedome]

Possibly not engine seizure then. The starter may have gone short circuit in the electro magnet coils which would explain why extra current is being drawn and the motor not turning.

 

I would suggest trying a new starter. You may want to get your old one tested first just to make sure and not waste any cash.

[pcshak]

Hi

 

I got a recon starter and fiited that this afternoon,luckily weather was kind to me today.

But the damn car is still not playing ball.

Same symptoms as before though no burning wire smell. It sound s like the solenoid is pushing out but the starter itself is not turning.

 

Not sure wots happening, cos I did jack the car up and put the car in gear turned the car wheel, the engine turned over no problem, so that seized engine is out the window.

 

The batteries only a few months old, so can't imagine thats the problem, I did jump lead it to no avail, so th elast thing is to maybe try a push start, I'll wait for the young fellows get home and get them out on the road.

 

Thanks for the replies

[big_kev]

I would definitely go for the push start first just to eliminate any engine problem.

 

At least then you definitely know it is starter related.

 

 

 

 

Advise you put ugly people at the back to push just in case the engine is siezed...

Its nice to watch them go splat into the back when you release the clutch.... :lol:

[pcshak]

Hi

 

Just my bad luck the blighters decided to turn up late, and the rains been tipping down all evening, will get them up early tomorrow to give it the big heave ho.

Failing that. I mean if they're not up to it, I'll get the breakdown guys out to come and have a look.

 

Or may even give it a tow to see if that'll wake it up.

 

As to putting the ugly ones at the back,well we have none they're all me boyz from 13 to 25, so wouldn't want any of them to go splat, nehhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well maybe sometimes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited November 21, 2007 by pcshak

[Willie Krashitt]

Push starting your Galaxy - If it is a PD engine, it won't start unless the PCM "see's" a cranking demand signal, i.e. the ignition has to be turned to the cranking position or it won't fire. This is now common practise for most vehicles made nowadays. Not sure when Galaxy got this feature, but my 2001 115ps certainly has it.

George.

[big_kev]

Push starting your Galaxy - If it is a PD engine, it won't start unless the PCM "see's" a cranking demand signal, i.e. the ignition has to be turned to the cranking position or it won't fire. This is now common practise for most vehicles made nowadays. Not sure when Galaxy got this feature, but my 2001 115ps certainly has it.

George.

 

 

This seems unlikely....are you sure ?

[Bigjeeze]

It may be true - But I have stalled my 115 2001 on a number of accasions and usually if I am still rolling I bump it and it starts no problem.

[pcshak]

Hi

 

OK had to get GreenFlag out to come and have a look,the guy hammered the starter, in case it was stuck,no luck.

So towing starting was the last resort, he hooked it all up to the back of the truck, pulled it onto the highway, ignition on, kick started first time.

 

He unhooked it all and sent me on my merry way. I drove off got about 1/2mile down the raod the damn thing stalled, just my luck.

 

The starter was just making a loud tick noise,so Imagine thats the solenoid.

I got my boy to come out and give me a tow start with his poor little Polo.

Got the thing started & drove it straight to the auto electricians, the starter was knackered so they gave me back my original starter that had been recond by now. I changed that over car started perfectly.

 

After a few days the starter is playing up again, doesn't turn over as quickly as before, so maybe another trip back tot the auto electrician.

Maybe should just get a refund & by a new one.

 

Anyone bought one off ebay?

They seem to be doing them quite cheap,

[chromedome]

How old is your battery? Could have a bad cell thus making starting difficult. Get your battery checked.

[pcshak]

Hi

 

The Batteries only 4months old, It wasn't a cheap one either, but I guess thats no guarantee that it cannot fail, but will get it checked out tomorrow when i go down to the auto electrician.

 

Cheers

[pcshak]

Each time the starters he was fitting were burning out

 

 

Are you sure that the starter motor relay is cutting out? I would have thought that the auto electrician would have checked this - that when you release the key, all power to the starter and solenoid is cut. The starter can only burn out if it draws too much current for too long. If the engine starts in a couple of seconds yet the starter overheats and burns out, there has to be a problem in the circuit that supplies power to the starter/solenoid

Edited December 8, 2007 by Ivor_E_Tower

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Each time the starters he was fitting were burning out

 

 

Are you sure that the starter motor relay is cutting out? I would have thought that the auto electrician would have checked this - that when you release the key, all power to the starter and solenoid is cut. The starter can only burn out if it draws too much current for too long. If the engine starts in a couple of seconds yet the starter overheats and burns out, there has to be a problem in the circuit that supplies power to the starter/solenoid

 

Apologies for mis-editing the above post - something weird is going on. When I click on the icons under the post to reply or edit, something different happens to the description on them.

However I do think that my words above are correct - the starter can only burn out if it's drawing loads of current and once the engine has started, there should be no power to the solenoid or starter itself.

From listening to the engine with bonnet up, can you tell that the starter definitely stops once the engine has fired up?

[pcshak]

Hi

The starter stops turning once the engine starts.

There's no noise coming from the starter once the engine is running.

 

Another development the wife just told me that she has been topping up the water daily over the past week,Each time the temp gauge rises to above normal & heating inside the car is cold.

So i checked the expansion tank,it was empty, couldn't see any obvious signs of leakage under the car.

Checked the (oil) rocker cover cap, and to my Horror, the water had mixed with the oil.

Currently I've drained off the oil, to check to what extent the oil in the sump had been contaminated,but no signs of frothy oil just black oil.

 

So seems like the lubrication around crankshaft has been compromised because of water mixing in with oil, therefore making it harder for the starter to turn the engine over ???

I'll probably try removing the Glow Plugs & then see if the starter will turn the engine over, hopefully it should.

Next thing will be to sort out the head gasket. anyone any idea how much I should expect to pay for this? is it a straight forwad DIY job?

 

So seems like the starters weren't the issue but an almost seized engine, the weird thing is it sounds fine once it gets a tow start,sounds normal, runs normal except for the temp problem.

Edited December 9, 2007 by pcshak

[Beyond Help?]

It is probably the oil cooler, not the head gasket, check that first.

 

Don't forget to use a flush in the cooling system afterwards, as the oil will rot the inside of the rubber water pipes.

[pcshak]

Hi

 

Thanks for that but I've bypassed the oil cooler & still get water loss/mixing with oil.

I'd already replaced 2 oil coolers,the problem of oil in the water was solved but then the new oil cooler failed,so I replaced it but bypassed it,didn't connect the water pipes to the cooler.

So it seems like its the Head Gasket, can't think of any other route for the water to get into the oil.

 

Thanks

[pcshak]

Hi

 

Has anyone used the 'Steel Seal' Stuff or something simliar to fix a blown haed gasket?

 

Was wondering, if the bottom end of the engine is seizing and head gasket blown, is it worth getting a replacement second hand engine, or getting a recon one?

 

I think thats wot it'll come down to, a replacement engine.

Don't really need this headache and expense running up to Xmas.

 

SODS LAW

 

:angry2:

[Smilge]

This sounds like a typical head gasket problem and the failure to start is caused by one or more of the bores filling with water. This causes "hydraulicking" preventing one or more pistons from moving. I had the same problem with my sons Freelander which kept cracking starter motor cases due to the engine wanting to turn in the opposite direction. This was the head gasket. I'm wondering .... with you trying to pull-start it .... have you done anymore damage? Compression test and then head off is what I'm thinking ......... anyone else?

[pcshak]

Thanks for that Bleano,

 

So if it is a Bore full with water then surely if I remove the glow plugs & try turning it over it should expel the water from the bore?

I think I'll give that a go and see what occurs.

 

Removing the glow plugs was one of the things I was contemplating on doing to see if the reduction in the compression will allow the engine to turn over, if it doesn't then I know for sure the crankshaft is seizing or seized.

 

Does anyone know if a 2002 Mk2 TDi Engine will fit the Mk1 2000 Galaxy?

 

I've been offereda 2002 Deisel Engine, the chappy said that it'd fit, all I had to do was transfer the ancilliaries.

Can anyone please confirm or tell me otherwise.

 

Thanks

[pcshak]

Hi

 

I was away for a while, now back, just wanted to update everyone about what happened about the starter motor & head gasket problem.

with the help help of you guys I Worked out the problem with the starter motor was water getting into the cylinders & making it difficult to turn over.

I removed the glow plugs & cranked the engine, starter turned the engine without effort. So was staringa big head job bill in the face.

I called my Big Bro in Oz (Automotive Engineer :-) ) who suggested I try some Head Sealer Stuff before embarking on an expensive head job, as he had used it many times & worked a treat. So I decided to try this out first, spent about