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Thread: Had a starter fail

  1. #1

    Had a starter fail(brush part number inside)

    The other day I had to go get a car that wouldn't start crank over. I tried boosting it first, I've got pretty decent cables and new batteries in my truck but the starter just clicked. Tried hitting the starter with a tire iron, still no crank. I towed it back to the shop tested the battery and it was weak, 300cca. So the car got one new battery and one used starter. I've got a feeling the starter was damaged by a combination of the weak battery and the driver not knowing when to quit trying. I bench tested the starter and it's so cooked the solenoid wouldn't even click.
    I didn't even try calling the dealer about warranty as we wanted the car back on the road the same day not later this month. At least they are insanely simple and fast to replace. The old one was soaked in oil though from the oil running down the filter trough and onto the starter every oil change. Though this is the first starter I've personally seen fail on these cars.

    I'll just put this here to save time next time I need to look for part numbers. I've been hanging on to the box the brush/holder I bought came in so I'd have the part number handy. It says SMT1321 on the box.
    https://mirageforum.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post74339


    Last edited by Fummins; 12-03-2020 at 06:52 PM.
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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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  3. #2
    I tore the old starter apart. All of the brushes are totally worn out otherwise I cleaned the solenoid up and got it working(EDIT: got working after replacing brushes as well)
    I might try to post a pic one day.
    Last edited by Fummins; 02-12-2020 at 06:49 PM.
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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  5. #3
    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    Do you suppose the oil contributed to the failure?

    Any pictures?

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


  6. #4
    Senior Member Cobrajet's Avatar
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    My starter...at 87,000 miles...."hesitates" on the first spin when I crank the engine sometimes. It's like "ruhr...ruhr, ruhr, ruhr, ruhr, VROOM!"

    How many miles on the car in question? I have been thinking about buying a used starter and having it on hand just in case this happens to me.

  7. #5
    Senior Member Wallythacker's Avatar
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    Are your fleet cars on/off a lot through the day? That's the only thing I can see that would eat the brushes. These little starters are direct drive, right? No gears?
    Zero, 2014 ES Plus 5MT, written off but not forgotten.
    Zero II, 2014 SE, 5MT, climate She's HOME now!
    Shelby AKA "Cute", 2017 ES 5MT, A/C.

    Mirage owners look at the world differently than everyone else, but in a better way
    We're driving the Beetle of the 21st century, the greatest small car now available!

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2017 Mirage ES PLus 1.2 manual: 39.0 mpg (US) ... 16.6 km/L ... 6.0 L/100 km ... 46.8 mpg (Imp)


  8. #6
    There didn't seem to be oil inside the motor itself, just the brush material at the end of the case. Could probably put new brushes in and it'd be fine. If you could find brushes for it?

    It wouldn't hurt to test your battery if it hesitates. A weak battery is hard on the starter. This car had around 90000kms. These cars don't idle very much. So are started and stopped constantly all day. I think the weak battery could have contributed to the short life. And yes it's direct drive.

    Attachment 11370

    Attachment 11371
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


  9. #7
    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Do you have a source for parts for starters? I know rebuild shops obviously can get parts, but I've never heard of a good source for new brushes, etc.
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


  10. #8
    I'm not sure if we have a supplier for brushes. There has to be something that'll work. The starter motor itself looks pretty normal and was probably used on many different vehicles. I'm sure if I could find a motor that looks close I could just swap nose cones if the gear is identical. Or just swap brushes...
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


  11. #9
    I just googled mitsubishi starter motor brushes. Not sure why I didn't think of that before....

    Mitsubishi Starter Brush Brush Holder Assembly (Mits Part # M321X13873) - 5503063A
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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  13. #10
    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Haha... of course Amazon has it.


    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


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