The starter motor these kits fit is very durable and very reliable BUT they have a weak point. Fortunately this weak point is easily repaired.

Basically the starter has a rebuildable solenoid which can be rebuilt by the amateur mechanic or anyone willing to have a go and save themselves a tidy sum of money.

The process of replacing the parts is explained in full in the Installation Instructions

As I've mentioned the starter is very reliable, the weak point is the copper contacts and plunger assembly which are inside the solenoid housing. Over time the copper is spark eroded away and eventually wears to such a point, the electrical contact is lost or at best intermittent.

It will get to the point where the starter will just click and the starter will become useless. At this point most people will take the car to a mechanic / repair shop who will tell you the starter has to be replaced. You will then be presented with a bill for £250 - £300 for a completely new starter inc fitting. In truth the starter could have been repaired at a fraction of the cost with our kit.

The replacement process is VERY straight forward. The starter will first have to be removed from the vehicle and this will probably be the most challanging part of the process. It's fairly easy to remove, most starters are held in place by 2 or 3 bolts and 2 electrical connections and will probably take less than 20 minutes to remove. The whole process would take approx 1 hour, I think an hours work is worth the saving!!!

THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING A KIT OR NEW STARTER

1/ CHECK YOUR BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED (Less than 10 volts and the starter will present the symptoms exhibited by a worn starter!!)

2/ CHECK BOTH BATTERY LEADS FOR GOOD CLEAN, CORROSION FREE CONNECTION TO BATTERY AND TO THE STARTER. ALSO CHECK FOR CORRODED BATTERY TERMINALS (SEE PICTURE BELOW). YOU CAN CLEAN THE CORROSION AWAY QUICKLY BY SPRINKLING BICARBONATE OF SODA POWDER OVER THE TERMINAL AND WASHING OFF WITH WATER AND A STIFF BRUSH (WORKS WONDERS)

3/ CHECK FOR GOOD EARTH (NEGATIVE OR BLACK LEAD) CONNECTION TO BODY OF CAR, MAKING SURE ALL SURFACES ARE CLEAN AND RUST FREE.

4/ CHECK FOR CORROSION ON MATING SURFACES BETWEEN STARTER AND GEARBOX, THE SURFACES MUST BE CLEAN SHINY AND CORROSION FREE ON BOTH.

5/ CHECK ALL FUSES ARE INTACT, IN PLACE AND NOT BLOWN.

6/ ON RARE OCCASIONS THE IGNITION SWITCH / BARREL COULD BE FAULTY.

7/ CHECK FOR BREAKS IN THE WIRING BETWEEN THE BATTERY / IGNITION AND STARTER (a good hard pull on the wires should do but remember to hold both ends and not pull against the loom)