Fiat Bravo Quiz
Electrical system

Starter fault diagnosis

In this manual: Electrical system
Dear Reader — 1Engine — 35Engine lubrication — 3Engine cooling — 10Ignition/spark plugs — 14Fuel system — 10Petrol fuel injection — 13Diesel injection system — 13Exhaust system — 7Clutch — 7Transmission / Gearshift / Automatic Transmission — 5Front Axle — 11Rear axle — 4Steering — 9Wheel alignment — 1Brake system — 22Wheels and tyres — 10Body — 34Heating — 6Electrical system — 39Lighting system — 14Instruments — 7Windscreen wiper system — 8Vehicle care / tools — 6Jump Starting / Towing the Vehicle — 3Jacking up the vehicle — 1Fiat Bravo / Brava Maintenance Schedule — 1Maintenance — 38Wiring diagrams — 5
~2min read

If a starter does not turn, first check whether, when starting the engine, the voltage required to engage of at least 10 volts is present at terminal 50 of the solenoid switch. If the voltage is below this value, the leads belonging to the starter circuit must be checked according to the wiring diagram. Whether the starter engages at full battery voltage can be checked as follows:

  • Do not engage any gear, ignition switched on.

  • Bridge terminals 30 and 50 at the starter with a lead (cross-section at least 4 mm²), see also the wiring diagram.

If the starter engages properly, the fault lies in the wiring to the starter. Otherwise, check the starter removed.

Test requirement: lead connections must be firmly seated and must not be oxidized.

Fault Cause Remedy
Starter does not turn when the ignition switch is operated. Battery discharged.

Terminals 30 and 50 at the starter bridged: starter runs. Lead 50 to the ignition switch interrupted, starter switch defective.

Cable or ground connection is interrupted.

Battery discharged.

Insufficient current flow due to loose or oxidized connections.

No voltage at terminal 50 (solenoid switch).
  • Charge battery.
  • Eliminate the interruption; replace defective parts.
  • Check the battery cables and connections. Measure the battery voltage and charge if necessary.
  • Clean the battery terminals and clamps. Make current-carrying connections between battery, starter and ground.
  • Lead interrupted, ignition switch defective.
Starter turns too slowly and does not crank the engine through. Battery discharged.

No winter oil or multigrade oil in the engine.

Insufficient current flow due to loose or oxidized connections.

Carbon brushes do not rest on the commutator, stick in their guides, are worn, broken, oil-soaked or dirty.

Insufficient clearance between carbon brushes and commutator.

Commutator scored or burned and dirty.

Voltage at terminal 50 missing (at least 10 volts).

Solenoid switch defective.
  • Charge battery.
  • Fill with multigrade oil.
  • Clean the battery terminals, clamps and connections at the starter, tighten the connections.
  • Check the carbon brushes, clean or replace them. Check the guides.
  • Replace the carbon brushes and clean the carbon brush guides.
  • Turn down the commutator or replace the armature.
  • Check the ignition switch or solenoid switch.
  • Replace switch.
Starter pinion engages and pulls in, engine does not turn or turns only jerkily. Pinion gear defective.

Pinion gear dirty.

Ring gear on flywheel damaged.
  • Replace pinion gear.
  • Clean pinion gear.
  • Rework ring gear if necessary, replace flywheel.
Pinion gear does not extend. Pinion gear or helical thread dirty or damaged.

Solenoid switch defective.

Return spring weak or broken.
  • Clean pinion gear, replace if necessary.
  • Replace solenoid switch.
  • Replace return spring.
Starter continues to run after the ignition key is released. Solenoid switch stuck, does not disengage.

Ignition switch does not switch off.
  • Switch off ignition immediately, replace solenoid switch.
  • Disconnect battery immediately, replace ignition switch.

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