Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hey I hope that someone can help. My starter turns over but sometimes wont catch on the flywheel. Is this something I can fix or do i need to replace it? Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

Don't know forsure, but after changing replacing three starters on my VW Westy, I became aquainted with the teeth on the starter. They are no match for the teeth that it drives (cant remember its name). If its not too much work, I would remove the starter to get a better look. If those teeth a baked...rebuild or replace. Hope this helps.

often if the starter spins but the engine doesn't turn it is the starter solenoid, not sure if it is built into the starter on deli's or if it is replaceable, the teeth on the starter are usually weaker than on the flywheel as it is cheaper and easier to replace, if it is the teeth on the starter it would still spin the motor as the good teeth would spin around and make contact, if it was the teeth on the flywheel the starter wouldn't turn over the motor untill the flywheel was moved by moving the van and popping the clutch or turning the crank manually. The solenoid is my bet.

Check the solenoid. I would bet it is just the solenoid.Well ....When you have it apart look at the teeth as they are probably rounded off on the tips. THe thing that sucks about starters is that it is only $5 or so to fix the contacts inside the solenoid. I have done a bunch. But Trying to find a shop that repairs starters and is willing to sell you some contacts is another story !!

When my van was alive, I had the same situation. I put 60000 km on it like this. The problem was very intermittent (sometimes several weeks between episodes) and I believe it was a flat spot on the flywheel (ie. broken teeth or worn teeth). It is embarrassing to have that sound of a spinning starter in a liquor store parking lot full of macho 4x4's in Harrison Hot Springs. I would first check the starter teeth for wear, because if it is the flywheel, that becomes a complex repair. I just lived with mine and would have fixed it when it would no longer start.

James

Hey thanks for all the advice! I think I'm going to pull it out tonight and we will see whats happening with it. Anyone know if there is a cross over starter that I can get or is it going to be a Mittsi thing?

G'day Twisted,the solenoid can be replaced separately but can't help you with a part number sorry,but I did replace my starter with a non Mitsubishi make called ENDURO OEX I think it may be a American brand ?? here is a photo with part number hope it is of some help,it cost me about AUS$350