In the practice of motorists, there are situations when you need to go somewhere, but the engine cannot be started because the starter is not working.
The reasons why the starter does not operate after turning on the ignition switch can be divided into two categories. Violation of the electrical wiring circuit and direct breakdown of the starter itself.
Before starting the test, you can check the starter by shorting the starter terminal with the positive voltage supply terminal (the presence of “+” can be determined using a tester or test light). Short circuit the circuit using a screwdriver, pry bar, etc. If the starter cranks normally, then there is a problem in the electrical circuit; if there is no result, the problem is with the starter itself.
Important! Before starting the test, make sure that the car is in neutral gear, the handbrake is on, and it is advisable to place wheel chocks under the wheels.
Malfunctions of the electrical circuit, starter power supply:
- The tips of the wires suitable for the battery terminals are loose or oxidized. In this case, the tips are removed from the battery and cleaned using a metal brush and sandpaper. After this, they are put in place and tightly tightened using clamping bolts.
- The battery is low or defective. Using a load plug, check the battery charge level. If necessary, recharge using a charger. Replace the faulty battery. It is also worth checking the density of the electrolyte, since with a low density of the solution (especially in the cold season), the battery quickly discharges.
- The nut at the voltage supply terminal to the starter is not tightened. This problem arises from the effect of vibration on the car, its solution is to tighten all the nuts using wrenches.
- The contact group of the ignition switch has failed. Using the electrical diagram, determine the contact to which voltage is supplied. Clean the terminal and tighten the fastening bolt. If it didn’t work, then connect this connector directly, with a separate wire, to the battery. If the starter spins, it means the contact group has failed. It is better to replace the ignition switch.
- The contact protection relay is faulty (additional starter relay). The supply of electricity to the traction relay occurs from the supply of voltage from the ignition switch through the starter relay. To check this relay, you can bridge the wires suitable for the starter relay (thickest in diameter). The starter is working, so remove and clean the contacts. If this does not happen, replace the relay.
- The starter “ground” is broken or poorly secured. Correct the violation of the electrical circuit, the engine with the “ground” of the car body. By securing or tightly tightening the bolt securing the ground wire.
- The fuse has blown. Check fuses and replace if necessary.
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If the above check does not produce results, the starter must be removed from the car for further diagnostics. To do this, first of all, you should find out the principle of operation and what parts this part of the car consists of.
Dead battery
As a rule, a problem with starting the engine using a starter device does not arise without a reason. The condition of this unit should be checked regularly. The frequency of vehicle operation directly affects the service life of the device. Frequent engine starts gradually consume the starter's life.
Useful : Where is the starter fuse on the VAZ 2114?
Rarely driving a car can also lead to problems with normal starting of the car. A dead battery is a common and not the most serious reason for starter inactivity. Operating the car in home-work mode leads to the fact that the generator does not have time to restore the battery charge, which it spends on starting the engine.
There is only one symptom of starter inactivity due to a discharged battery - the retractor clicks. In order to verify this problem, you can turn on other electrical appliances in the car. You can also try to close the starter directly - using a thick screwdriver. If there is insufficient charge, the retractor will click and the starter will not operate. Now you have an understanding of why the starter clicks but does not turn. When considering the reasons why the VAZ 2114 starter does not turn, you should first check the condition of the battery. The most reliable test option is to use a multimeter to measure the current charge.
conclusions
A serviceable car is always ahead.
The VAZ-2114 belongs to the category of cars that are unpretentious in maintenance, reliable in operation, and adapted to the road conditions of the Russian Federation. A successful city car with low gas mileage, low cost of consumable parts, and large trunk volume. Reviews from car owners are more positive.
The maximum that the owner “can get” in a situation where the starter does not start the car is a new starter. It costs no more than 2,000 rubles, can be changed at any service center, and if there is a hole, do it yourself in 45 minutes.
Ignition switch relief relay
In addition to the retractor relay on the housing of the starter device, its operating circuit includes another unloading relay, located under the hood or on the steering column. The main task of the unloading relay is to protect the device from overload. Often, replacing this element allows you to restore the starter's functionality.
Since the unloading relay is not much different from the standard elements that are located in the mounting block, to check its malfunction it is enough to install a similar relay for testing. If the starter starts turning, the problem is in this element. The reason for its failure is a voltage surge in the device circuit.
The main problem if this relay malfunctions can be finding it. Since the element was placed differently in cars of different years of production, when searching, take into account the following possible locations for installing the relay:
- Under the hood, near the vacuum booster;
- Under the steering column in conjunction with other wires;
- On the interior body panel under the car panel.
If replacing the relay did not help and the starter on the VAZ 2114 still does not turn, you should carry out further diagnostics.
Useful : Replacing the starter on a VAZ 2114 (step-by-step instructions)
What is a starter on a VAZ 2114
A starter is essentially a small engine, only electric. Its main task is to move the crankshaft. It does the main work until the fuel mixture ignites. Then the camshaft comes into operation and the car starts.
Like any electric motor, it consists of a rotor and a stator (armature), which are started electrically from a battery.
Poor mass of minus battery on the body
Because For the normal operation of any electrical appliance, the condition of all contacts and wiring is important - you should check the condition of the negative ground of the battery on the car body. Mechanical damage to the wiring or its destruction due to oxides often causes the starter to not work. The photo below shows the exact location of the battery negative ground wire on body 2114.
The rather inconvenient location of this wire leads to the fact that during manipulations with the battery it breaks. Loss of ground causes the starter device to fail to operate. To solve the problem, just screw a new ground wire onto the body and securely fix it. If, after replacing the ground wire, the VAZ 2114 does not start - the starter does not turn, you should investigate further.
Important ! In addition to the ground wire, you should check the condition of the chip on the starter itself. Unreliable contact fixation makes starting the motor through the starter device impossible.
Adviсe
Only proper operation of the car will extend the service life of the starter:
- If all other components and parts of the mechanism are in working order, hold the ignition key for no more than 15 seconds.
- Do not rush to turn on the ignition earlier than 30 seconds so that the fuel pump pumps fuel and creates the necessary pressure.
- Install the starter in place without distortion, securely fasten it.
Take into account the summer active evaporation of electrolyte from battery cans, promptly bringing it to the required density.
contact Group
To influence the starter, first of all, the driver turns the key in the ignition switch. The condition of this unit and wiring is also worth checking, especially if the starter does not operate when starting the engine. Damage to wires in the contact group is a common problem on domestic cars.
The status of the contact group can be checked in the following ways:
- Visually check the condition of the wiring and terminal blocks. Increased voltage on the node causes carbon deposits, melting of wires and burnout of the group tracks. In case of serious problems, these defects are visible to the naked eye;
- A more complex diagnostic method is to use a multimeter in ohmmeter mode. If there is no resistance on the device when the ignition is turned on, the contact group should be replaced.
For accurate diagnostics, you can install a known working contact group from a working machine.
Egnition lock
Next, you need to understand how to check the ignition switch. This unit is directly related to starting the engine. The absence of an electrical circuit between the solenoid relay and the ignition switch is a common cause of malfunction.
In addition to externally inspecting the lock for damage, you can inspect the condition of the wiring inside the device body. Measuring resistance with an ohmmeter will also allow you to accurately determine the serviceability of the part. If it is not possible to turn on even the first position (ignition on) through the lock, then starting the starter directly will also not be possible. In such a situation, you should understand the wiring of the device and, if necessary, completely replace the part.
If you cannot turn the key in the lock, check the hole for foreign objects. If the key is stuck, you should call in specialists.
How to eliminate the causes of problems starting the car engine
Buying a new starter is not always justified. The old unit can serve for a long time. It is enough to carry out qualified diagnostics and replace faulty internal parts: bushings, brushes.
If it is not possible to deliver a faulty car to a service station, then it is necessary to remove the faulty part and take it to a mechanic. Only qualified diagnostics using special equipment can identify the exact fault. Repairing internal parts is much cheaper than buying a new part.
Usually repairs do not take much time. It all depends on the workload of the repairman and the availability of the necessary spare parts. It is better to contact a service that specializes in repairing electrical equipment for cars. If circumstances are favorable, you will be able to get behind the wheel of your car the very next day.
Solenoid relay
An important element in the engine starting device circuit is the solenoid relay. Its malfunction makes it impossible to start the engine in the standard way. Checking the functionality of the element is simple - if a characteristic clicking sound is not made when turning the key to the start position, the relay is faulty.
When the machine is idle for a long time, the mechanism in the device can become sour, so tapping on the body often solves the problem. If the element is completely faulty, the procedure for replacing the part is inevitable. For a convenient replacement procedure, it is better to remove the starter completely. As you can see, all problems with the starter device can be resolved on our own, so understanding all the intricacies of diagnosing breakdowns will help save time and money.
Trouble-shooting
Diagnostics, cleaning and lubrication of the starter
Based on the causes of malfunctions, their elimination lies in the following:
- Charging or replacing the battery
- Cleaning terminals, wire tips, lubricating them with Vaseline.
- Replacement: traction unit, ignition switch contact, armature.
- Cleaning: relay contacts or replacing the commutator, brushes.
- Checking the wire connections from the battery to the starter.
- Replacement of the coupling, if necessary, fastening of the unit itself and terminal contacts.
- Replacement of the overrunning clutch or flywheel crown, drive lever if a breakdown occurs.
The appearance of noise can be caused by the destruction of anchor bearings, wear of gears of the gearbox, and ring teeth.
Bendix, if not disengaged, also makes metallic sounds. For the ideal case, that is, rebuilding the starter, it is advisable to change the parts.
Mechanical wear of the teeth of the drive gears, flywheel, and overrunning clutch may occur. You will have to remove the unit, change the gears, and possibly the crown.
Replacing the starter support bushings (made of non-ferrous metals) often solves many problems.
Individual starter elements
List of consumable spare parts : includes bendix, mechanism housing, commutator, brushes, traction relay (if there is a winding short circuit).
By the way, when you turn the key, you usually hear a click coming from the contacts of the traction relay closing. However, multiple clicks may occur without the starter engaging. In this case, the reason lies in the burning of the contacts of the traction mechanism.
