Hah :yes: I won't listen to a holden expert again then...

 

I believe it is a popular misconception that you just whack it anywhere and magically it seems to work. I am a 1st (almost 2nd year) auto electrical apprentice and I have seem some shockers where people have hit them with the biggest hammer they can find. Have seen solenoids destroyed and field housings belted that in turn crack the permanent magents which float around inside and f@$k the armature..

 

I should really write up a diagnostic procedure for starter motors..

simalar thing happened to my car. was at a mates house turned car off went inside for about 10 mins came out went to start nothing happened, so i clutched it thinking my battery was flat or something. so drove down the steet waiting to pull on to the high way and car stored, and of course car didnt start, so put it in reverse to clutch it my mate got out to push then started to swear and said quick pull into the servo. so he pushed me in poped the bonnet, smoke just pouring out could smell the delightful smell of toxic insulation burning, look in the engine bay the thick starter motor wire is bare metal glowing red and burning out any wire next to it had a nice little fire in the corner looked for something to put it out, couldnt find anything so i decided to grab it real quick to put it out (that hurt) but the fire went out. the starter motor was f@$ked so got that replaced and had to do some rewireing. so what have we learnt from this story:

 

1. don't clutch the car to you know whats wrong with it

2. don't grab stuff thats glowing red and or fire

That one sounds more like the circlip let go in the solenoid and the contact went to frame causing a short in the main starter wire..

I should really write up a diagnostic procedure for starter motors..

 

That sounds like a good idea :yes: