Starter Motor Problems

[Escy]

When i try to turn my car over, the starter motor turns really slowly for about 2 seconds then stops. then when i try again, i just get a clicking sound. i took off the starter yesterday, and connected it up to a battery. it span really slowly, then stopped and smoke came from it. i took it to the guy that rebuilt it for me (its been on the car for about 3 months, and only turned over about 10 times) and he connected it up to a battery and it span like a goodun. i took it home put it on the same battery it was on before, and it span like a goodun for me. i put it back on the car, and it does the same thing again, turning over slowly once. i'm sure theres power getting to the starter, because i've taken the live that goes on the end, and earthed it out on the body and it sparked nicely. i'm lost as to why its not turning over. i thought it might be something to do with the new engine having a different flywheel or something, but the starter was working fine the last few times.

also, another question, i've got an alternator from a sierra fitted, and on my wiring, i've got one live feed, that has a big connection, but it can fit on 2 possible places on the alternator, how do i know which it should go on?

Cheers, Tom.

[Willid1]

Check you have a good earth comnnection from the engine/gearbox back to the body/battery negative terminal.

My escort once had such a bad earth it was using the outside of the choke cable as an earth return, which I only discovered when I nearly burnt my fingers on the choke it was so hot.

HTH

David

[Escy]

i'm sure my earth is ok, its all pretty new. any other ideas?

cheers, Tom