Main faults of the starter and how to fix them (VAZ-2109)

To avoid many starter malfunctions, it is necessary to follow a number of simple rules when operating it:

• when starting the engine, turn on the starter for no more than 10...15 sec and again after 20...30 sec. Continuous long-term operation of the starter can lead to overheating of the anchor and stator windings. If the engine does not start after three attempts, then you should check and eliminate faults in the engine power supply system or in the ignition system;
• after starting the engine, immediately turn off the starter, since prolonged rotation of the flywheel drive gear (especially when the carburetor throttle control pedal is depressed) may cause the starter overrunning clutch to jam;
• never move the car using the starter. This will cause significant overload and damage.

The starter does not turn on

a) When the starter is turned on, the characteristic clicks of the traction relay are not heard, and the instrument lighting lamps dim or go out.

Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• the battery terminals and wire tips are heavily oxidized, the tips are loosely tightened. Clean the terminals and wire tips, tighten the tips and lubricate with Vaseline;
• the battery is completely discharged. Check the battery level, charge it or replace it if necessary;
• interturn short circuit in the pull-in winding of the traction relay or its short circuit to ground. To check the traction relay, it is necessary to remove the starter and install it between gear 2 (see figure 103) and a limiting ring 1 gasket 12.8 mm thick. Adjusting the relay supply voltage with a rheostat, measure with a voltmeter at what voltage the relay turns on. If the relay turn-on voltage is greater than 9 V at (20±5)°C, this indicates its malfunction. Replace the damaged relay.

b) When the starter is turned on, no clicks from the traction relay are heard and the brightness of the instrument lighting lamps does not change.



Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• the auxiliary relay does not operate when the starter is turned on. Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the auxiliary relay plug "85". If the relay operates, then either the ignition switch is damaged or the circuit between the auxiliary relay plug "85" and the ignition switch plug "50" is broken. Check the red wires connecting the ignition switch to the relay; replace damaged wires, restore connections. Check whether contacts "30" and "50" of the ignition switch close in position II ("Starter"). Replace the faulty contact part of the ignition switch;
• no voltage is applied to the output "50" of the traction relay of the starter when the auxiliary relay is triggered. Connect the "plus" of the battery to the "50" output of the starter traction relay. If the traction relay is switched on, then check the wires and their connections from the "7" plug of the "Sh8" block of the mounting block to the "87" plug of the auxiliary relay and then from the "30" plug of the same relay to the "50" output of the starter traction relay. In addition, it is possible that the auxiliary relay contacts are highly oxidized. To correct this problem, remove the relay cover and clean the contacts;
• the anchor of the traction relay is jammed. Remove the traction relay. Check the ease of movement of the anchor, eliminate the jam;
• break in the pull-in winding of the traction relay. Check the resistance between the "50" plug of the relay and its lower contact bolt with an ohmmeter. If the ohmmeter shows no circuit (infinitely great resistance), then replace the traction relay.

When the starter is turned on, the anchor does not rotate or rotates too slowly

a) You can hear the clicks of the traction relay operating, the instrument lighting lamps do not dim.

Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• the nuts securing the wire ends to the contact bolts of the traction relay are loose. Tighten the nuts;
• the contact bolts of the traction relay are heavily oxidized or burnt. Close the contact bolts of the traction relay. If the anchor starts to rotate, it is necessary to remove the traction relay, disassemble it and clean the contact bolts. If the contact bolts are significantly damaged at the point of contact with the contact plate, they can be turned 180°;
• severe burning of the anchor collector, sticking of the brushes or their severe wear. When the contact bolts are closed, the starter anchor does not rotate or rotates too slowly. Check the ease of movement of the brushes in the brush holders. If the height of the brushes is less than 12 mm, replace them. Clean the collector with sandpaper.

b) Clicks of the traction relay operating are heard, the instrument lighting lamps go out or become dim.

Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• the battery terminals and wire tips are oxidized, the tips are loosely tightened. Clean the terminals and wire tips, tighten them and lubricate them with Vaseline;
• the battery is discharged. Check the battery level, charge it or replace it if necessary;
• short circuit or break in the armature or stator windings, short circuit of the brush holder of the "positive" brush to "ground". If, when the contact bolts of the traction relay are shorted, the starter armature does not rotate or rotates slowly, the starter must be sent for repair.

When the starter is turned on, the anchor rotates, but the engine flywheel does not turn

Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• slippage of the overrunning clutch or its seizure on the splines of the armature shaft. Remove the starter and check the rotation of the gear. In one direction (clockwise when viewed from the front) it should rotate only together with the anchor shaft, and in the other - rotate freely on the anchor shaft. In case of slipping of the clutch or its jamming on the shaft, disassemble the starter and replace the clutch, eliminate the jamming;
• the clutch engagement lever, drive ring or buffer spring is broken. Remove the starter and check the condition of the lever and drive parts. Replace damaged parts.

Unusual noise from the starter when the anchor is rotating

When the starter is turned on, knocks and grinding sounds are heard.

Causes of the malfunction and ways to eliminate it:

• the starter mount is loose or its cover is broken on the drive side. Check the starter mount and tighten the nuts. If the cover is broken, disassemble the starter and replace it;
• the teeth of the pinion or flywheel ring gear are damaged. Remove the starter and inspect the teeth of the pinion and flywheel ring gear. If the teeth are damaged, replace the starter clutch or flywheel;
• the starter gear does not disengage from the flywheel due to broken clutch parts or jamming on the shaft. Remove the starter, disassemble it and check the clutch. Replace it if the clutch parts are broken, eliminate its jamming on the shaft.