Can a faulty starter motor stop the car

Tiny
19MATTY79
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 VAUXHALL ASTRA
  • 150,000 MILES
And stop it from cranking over even though the ignition lights come on? My car cut out but the lights on the dash come on but it won't crank over or even attempt to, I've checked all fuses and all ok, there's plenty of life in the battery and the engine turns when trying to bump it. I've left the ignition on and tried crossing the wires on the starter motor. It sparks and still won't turn over or crank even. Is there anything else I can try or does it seem like the starter motor?
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 11:12 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
Have the battery tested first. It might not be the problem but you need to be sure. It that tests fine then it could be the starter. Be sure to clean and tighten the battery cables too though.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
19MATTY79
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks. The battery seems to be ok, tried headlights on and they are as bright as any other time. Even tried jump leads off another car and still no luck. The spark on the starter when crossing the wires with a screw driver is really good. But the starter will still not move, I can't think of anything else. Was thinking ignition switch or ecu at first but with crossing the wire and still no luck I think I would have bypassed them, the starter can stop a car and act like this though can it?
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What wires are you crossing? You should cross small solenoid key igntion wire with main power wire.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
19MATTY79
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks again mate, it was the solanoid on the starter wires I was crossing. That didn't work, so I gave the motor a few taps with a bar and surprisingly it worked, the car starts fine again now but sticks now and again, take it it was the starter and I'll replace that ASAP. Thanks for your help, much appreciated, thank you
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Probably just the starter brushes but doubt you can get them seperately.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 AT 10:33 PM

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