Hi
The very same thing happened to me today on my 23 month old sandero Stepway laureate that has only done 12000 miles. The RAC recovery guy said it was common for the starter motor to burn out on these models due to the stop start function (which I always have turned on). This is the second sandero I have owned and I have been more than happy with these cars up until now. I'm quite surprised that I haven't seen more postings about this issue on this forum because there are a large amount of complaints on the internet that came up when googling the issue. How did you go on with your car?

 

Hi, Has anyone experienced problems with starter motor engaging whilst engine running.

I've just had the exact same thing happen to me.

Car was sitting idling, and the starter motor kicked in!

Now starter won't operate at all. I imagine it burned itself out.

This must surely be a known problem which Dacia should sort out for us?

 

Does the starter solenoid click when you try to start the car?

If not is there 12 V to the starter solenoid when you try to start.

If there is try tapping the solenoid. They can stick.

All though I have never tried this you can use a screwdriver to short the output contacts to spin the motor. The engine should not turn over as it is the solenoid that mechanically engages the pinion gear If it does try to turn over the pinion gear is stuck.

 

My apologies for the late feedback on this topic.

I had the car taken into the garage so they could checkout the electrics, as to why the starter motor kicked in whilst idling.

They could find no problem with the basic electrics which left no real answer to problem.

Dacia quote something like less than an hour to replace starter !!!!.

This unit which is located in a ridiculous position on front of engine is a pig to get at for the diy mechanic.

Apparently the mechanic has to to undo engine mountings, then support and tilt engine backwards to access/remove starter.

So not expensive on labour but very expensive Dacia replacement starter prices.

If anyone knows of a shorter removal and replace method that may be useful for the forum members that would be appreciated.

I suspect the solenoid may have been at fault but again if someone has any different views please post.

Thank you

 

I recently had the same issue although my wife was driving the car and doesn't recall hearing the starter motor engaging while the engine was running.

I had the starter removed by a friend (mechanic) which took quite a few hours! so much to remove to even see the starter motor...

I took it to a chap who rebuilds starters etc who instantly said it had engaged while the engine was running, he managed to source a replacement and suggested disconnecting the start/stop function.

I had posted on this site but under the Stepway electrical section. Someone mention the bonnet catch has a safety switch so the engine can't start with the bonnet open. I have bridged that switch ( a connector about 20cm fro the switch) so now the car thinks the bonnet is permanently open and won't let the start/stop function operate.

But agree this is a problem that is obviously not recognised by Dacia by the look if it.

 

To be pedantic.

The switch does not prevent the engine starting with the bonnet open it directly disables the start/stop.

You may want to run the engine without the start/stop interfering for instance when changing the coolant.

 

I posted this on another thread, it may or may not be relevant:

Here in France, Dacia is recalling Sanderos built between 1st September 2017 and 19 October 2018 for faulty ignition switches. This is from this month's issue of the French equivalent of 'Which' magazine, so not just hearsay. Might be worth pursuing with your dealer or Dacia UK. Check your build date.

Assuming you can then get past the dealers' bull****!

 

Well would you believe a year and 2 weeks from replacing the starter motor the car broke down yesterday and my wife was told by the AA chap that it was the starter motor that has failed! again..

The car is 5 years old so i think 2 starter motors is a tad excessive..!

I know whats install for the weekend, but fear if this is the case the car will be going and no more Dacias for me...

To note we always ,without fail, manually disable the start/stop function before starting the engine..

 

Well would you believe a year and 2 weeks from replacing the starter motor the car broke down yesterday and my wife was told by the AA chap that it was the starter motor that has failed! again..

The car is 5 years old so i think 2 starter motors is a tad excessive..!

I know whats install for the weekend, but fear if this is the case the car will be going and no more Dacias for me...


To note we always ,without fail, manually disable the start/stop function before starting the engine..

Royale65
I have a 4 month old Sandero with SCe65 engine. I always disable the S/S stem same as you.
Because I don't know much about it I have tried to understand how it works. One feature I can't get my head around is that the motor turns into a generator to top up the battery / fans/ aircon./ when the car is stopped.
It seems to me that it might be possible that cars computer program is going wrong.and sending the wrong signal out to the starter/ generator.

If I was you I would write a formal letter to Dacia and threaten to take your complaint to the small claims court . I am sure that they would agree with your claim that a starter motor with normal motoring should last more than you have experienced.

PS you may have seen that apparently in France that there has been a recall of some Dacias because of this problem.

AMBVOL

 

My wifes Logan on aproaching a roundabout cut out and stopped dead. The police were called and kindly pushed the car onto a cycle track .Dacia rescued the car and the fault was the starter motor . Its was replaced under the warranty after weeks of waiting for a new starter. Dread to think if this happened on a motorway ,no engine .power steering or nearly no brakes and no warning.

 

Sandan,

There's 2 points that stand out .

1 This is a serious safety issue and needs reporting to an higher authority. I can't think who but the incident sounds dangerous
2 I can't see how a starter motor can cause the engine to shut down if the engine is running ? Theres got to be more to this failure eg a computer system problem relating to the stop/start .


Ambvol

PS
can you provide a few details about the car . I am sure it will interest many members of the community.
I am thinking of opening a new topic STARTER MOTOR FAILURES>.
At the moment it doesn't affect me but my wife drives the car how could she cope in a similar situation

I

 

Just checked online motor factor's, ours has an alternator and separate stop/start starter motor.

 

Just looked under bonnet . Yes mine seems to have an alternator . Cant see the starter . I suspect it's accessible from underneath. THese I presume are stop / start .

Ambvol

 

I think you will find starter generators are used with 48 volt systems.
Alternators are AC so you need a DC to AC converter to use it as a belt driven starter motor. I don't think you will see it on a small car like Dacias.

 

Thought it was a bit unusual, oh ! for the days of simple electrics, coils, points and carbs with no electrickery a la ECU's.

 

Points and condensers were a pain, as you can see by all the classic car enthusiasts convert to electronic ignition lol.
John

 

Your prolly right, don't even know if you can buy them anymore, used to like setting them up though, and usually repairable at the side of the road.

 

The Logan was a 2018-19 model with stop/start. The car would not start after it came to a sudden stop , no life showing on the dash , the police tried the car too but nothing at all. It was repaired in Dacia Inverness and the starter changed and off it went. The cars steering lock broke after that , again Dacia replaced it although no one had ever heard of this fault before. The steering lock broke again within a month , Dacia refused the claim as the car was now out of warranty and they had repaired it once before. After many phone calls ,emails they agreed to pay 80% of the repair. I never bothered and just traded it in against a new Duster.

 

Have you had a look at my #8 earlier?
I think there was a recall subsequentally but can't remember the details.