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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: paul1 on July 26, 2009, 11:27:00 PM

Title: starter bizar problem
Post by: paul1 on July 26, 2009, 11:27:00 PM

the car is Grand vitara 1.6L 4x4 auto. trans. 2005 .
about a year ago I had a starting problem: the starter will start turning the engine than abruptly stop.
immediately trying again, the engine will start normally.
this happened randomally when starting the car from cold. I suspected the battery & changed it.
the problem disappeared for 4 months then came back & got worse until I changed the starter with a reconditioned one.
for 3 months it worked fine, than the problem came back. the battery is in good condition.

is there a known problem with the starter in this model?

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: essjay on July 27, 2009, 12:30:33 AM

did you check the starter when you removed it? did it fail testing? were all the teeth on the ring gear intact?

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: paul1 on July 27, 2009, 03:21:44 AM

the old starter wasn't checked but the ring gear looked OK.
anyway, the new starter worked fine, until now...

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: ack on July 27, 2009, 03:29:14 AM

You can throw money at a problem or you can take a little time to analyse it.

Problem:  The starter suddenly stops for no apparent reason when you are cranking the engine over.

Solution 1:

Carefully examine everything electrical that is part of the starting circuit.  The ignition switch, the small connector on the wiring harness that connects to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch, the switch at the transmission that senses when the transmission is in Park or Neutral, etc., etc.  

Finding a wiring diagram might be a bit difficult, but you might find something that helps at Ack's FAQ (http://www.acksfaq.com (http://www.acksfaq.com)).  Go there and do a search for tracker factory service manual.  The results of the search will take you to the master index page.  Towards the bottom, you will find Volume 2 Section 8A-30 Starter and Charging.  Over the years, not much has changed mechanically with the Suzuki Tracker/Vitara - especially those with 1.6 L engines.  You will find that the resulting circuit diagram will come very close to describing what you have on your Vitara!

Eventually, with patience, you will find the problem and be able to fix it.

Solution 2:  Take it to the dealer and let them figure it out for you.

Solution 3:  Keep throwing money at the problem.

BTW, Solution 3 is the worse possible solution.  It always costs the most - unless you get extremely lucky.

I would try Solution 1.  It costs less, you get the satisfaction of  knowing that you are in complete control of the situation and there is that great feeling that YOU figured it all out!  

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: paul1 on July 27, 2009, 04:27:24 AM

before replacing the 1st starter I tried directly driving the starter thru a relay-without success.
but the transmission switch is a good point. I Will check it.

thanks.

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: essjay on July 28, 2009, 11:04:24 PM

Could it be your ignition switch? maybe your switch is failing and thinks your letting off the key as your starting it.

Title: Re: starter bizar problem
Post by: essjay on July 30, 2009, 01:45:21 PM

you get it figured out?