Shows its LCV pedigree

As it diagnoses and resolves Fiat Doblo starter motor failure.

Autoelectro, with more than 30 years’ successful experience in the automotive aftermarket, has built a reputation in providing technicians with the answers that might otherwise have alluded them, like an issue that affects the Fiat Doblo 1.3D Multijet (2014-onwards).

Often, a slow start or excessive crank time can be incorrectly diagnosed as a faulty or worn-out starter motor; however, this is not always the case. Alarmingly, underlying issues are regularly overlooked and the same fault that was thought to be fixed reoccurs and the replaced component is often blamed.

Autoelectro, the UK’s largest independent remanufacturer of starter motors and alternators, has experienced this type of scenario on starter motors fitted to the Fiat Doblo application.

The vehicle can suffer from slow starting, but it is not the starter motor that is causing this problem; in fact, it is caused by the engine’s main earth wire to the chassis being corroded.

The damage triggers a poor connection and can result in excessive cranking of the starter motor and, consequently, may cause it to burn out and fail.

To minimise the risk of failure, Autoelectro advises technicians to inspect the earth wire connected to the chassis and replace if necessary. The wire on the Doblo can be found close to the gearbox and runs directly from the negative terminal on the battery.

Other symptoms that can indicate a possible burnt-out starter motor include the following:

  • Blue colour on the gear shaft and pinion area
  • Rattling inside the starter motor
  • Burning smell from starter motor or insulation leak
  • Damaged pinion teeth or broken nose cone
  • Burnt, discoloured or melted wire from solenoid to starter body
  • Burnt label

Failure to investigate and rectify this fault can result in premature failure of the component and may invalidate the warranty.

Technical information is accessible
These bulletins written by Autoelectro’s team of experts are part of a library of 500 articles available on the company’s website – www.autoelectro.co.uk – which provide free advice to technicians. They can register now to access an abundance of information, as well as receive the latest bulletins via e-mail, ensuring they can ‘fit and forget’, as it states indelibly on Autoelectro’s bright red packaging.