Starter motor going by itself...

[silestanix]

Ok...so earlier this evening I posted a thread about my freinds AEE Engined VW Golf 1.6 and how it wouldn't idle properly...it's safe to say that thread is now redundant as there's now a more urgent problem...

She was driving home this evening from work and about half way home she texted me telling me there was a 'wierd' noise coming from the car...and then about 15 mins later I got another text saying she'd reached home, the car had died and now the car wouldn't start and had no power.

I'm now down here with her and the car, and the battery is Bone Dead. I put jump leads on her battery to my car and all that happens is the starter motor starts running as soon as the battery has power! The radio, interior lights etc all work, the ignition works but the starter motor is running all by itself...! It's not catching or anything or trying to start anything...it's just running! I'd have got a clip to put her to show you all but my hands were a bit full at the time lol.

Soon as I d/c the jump leads, the car dies again. I'm no professional mechanic but I did look around the battery and starter motor areas and I couldn't find anything out of place. I DID however put a little bit of grease on the battery terminals the night before (last night) and a light bit on all earth points in the engine bay etc. I also lightly misted the Dizzy cover and got a cloth, sprayed a bit of wd40 on it and cleaned the HT Leads engines and then used the cloth to smear the lubricant around the dizzy cover etc to repel rain...

So...Anyone...any ideas on this...? She needs the car for work as she works far away so your replies would be much appreciated!

- Harry.

[SammoVWT]

Sounds like the starter solenoid is stuck, or might be an ignition barrel problem. Won't take long to drain a battery, 180 odd cranking apms will take care of that.

[silestanix]

Sounds like the starter solenoid is stuck, or might be an ignition barrel problem. Won't take long to drain a battery, 180 odd cranking apms will take care of that.

Hmmm...i remember on my old bmw E30 i used to hit the starter with a bit of wood if it was acting up...would this be the same deal? Is there a way or sorting it? She's planning to sell it soon anyways to buy a KA she has on order as well.

Yeah the battery did drain very quickly...!