Andyp88 8 #1 Posted December 31, 2015 Hi all. New to forum. Just acquired a Westwood Gazelle W11. Seller said battery was flat but it would start with pullstart. Found out that the battery is ok but still won't start with starter. Is there a way of checking the starter motor and solenoid for faults? Thanks in advance. Andy 1 Joe the small engine man reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #2 Posted December 31, 2015 Hey Andy, welcome to mom. Does the solenoid click when you turn the key? Does the starter turn? 2 Andyp88 and Joe the small engine man reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe the small engine man 89 #3 Posted January 1, 2016 Welcome to the forum, great machines those gazelle's 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #4 Posted January 1, 2016 Check earth connections. Make sure they're clean and tight. If the solenoid doesn't click like Mark says, try giving it a tap with something. It may be sticking. 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,876 #5 Posted January 1, 2016 Welcome aboard Andy its very common on Westwood's for the solinoid to pack up on them if they have been standing a while also check the ignition switch they canbe a problem its unlikely to be the starter motor 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harryt 281 #6 Posted January 1, 2016 welcome andy, i have found solenoids are the problem most of the times, they are a lot cheaper to replace than the starter motor, probably best to change the solenoid first. 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wristpin 400 #7 Posted January 1, 2016 Eliminate the possibility of an ignition or safety switch problem. With the switch turned to off/stop take a fly lead from the battery positive and touch it to the small ( thin wire) terminal of the solenoid. If the solenoid clicks and the starter kicks in the problem lies in the switch or the safety circuit. No result from that, you can by-pass the solenoid but this is a bit brutal and only for the brave or foolish!. Take a decent sized bit of iron (not you best screwdriver!) and bring it down squarely across the two heavy terminals on top of the solenoid but be prepared to whip it off a bit smartish! . If the starter kicks the problem is with the solenoid. 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyp88 8 #8 Posted January 1, 2016 Thanks for quick replies. Key turning ok and solenoid just clicking. Going to check it over with multimeter today. Can startermotor be connected directly to 12v to test it? 3 Stormin, Joe the small engine man and Triumph66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #9 Posted January 1, 2016 Yes, just jump straight to starter, if it spins then it's a duff solenoid. I've replaced two in the last year as they don't last! 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wristpin 400 #10 Posted January 1, 2016 Often solenoids fail as the result of over tightening of the terminal securing nuts or failure to hold the back nuts ( if fitted) while tightening the terminal nuts. This pulls the internal contacts slightly out of line so that when the magnet pulls the contractor disc up it doesn't sit squarely against the contacts . The resulting arcing either welds it into permanent contact or the " slag" created prevents further contact. One brand of solenoid that we used had a little sticker on each one specifying a maximum torque for the terminal nuts - which of course we observed religiously ! However it was noticeable that we experienced far fewer early failures on solenoids fitted in our workshop than with those sold over the counter. 3 Joe the small engine man, Andyp88 and nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe the small engine man 89 #11 Posted January 1, 2016 that looks like a tidy machine, good luck with the starter testing. Regards Joe 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyp88 8 #12 Posted January 1, 2016 Well had a play around took battery off and put back on, tapped the solenoid and it did the trick, started on first turn. Happy days. Next thing is headlights. Can you still get them or is there an alternative? I was thinking of an LED upgrade. 1 meadowfield reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #13 Posted January 1, 2016 We used Land Rover reverse lights on ours with LED bulbs 1 Andyp88 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Fife Plooman 632 #14 Posted January 2, 2016 Hi Andy Welcome to the forum You have a nice start to your collection it looks well,give it a good clean down and paint it with Owatrol oil it is air dried and prevents further rust. When you use it a little goes a long way Frae the Fife Plooman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
