Transit Connect 230 2008 starting problems

[dogwalker64]

Hi. Im hoping someone may be able to help or point me in the right direction.
Im have random start up issues with my connect . Sometimes its starts on the button but every 5 or 8 starts its will turnover very slowly like
the battery is flat. I turn the key back and try again and it fires up like normally. I had a new clutch fitted about 350 miles/4 weeks ago but its only started doing this over the last 5 days. The battery is about 10m old. I did put it on charge and it seems fine,When its running its runs along fine
Any help gratefully received

[Kenton]

Could be the starter motor getting tired They are not that expensive to replace, and not difficult to access; from the front,
right behind the lower part of the radiator. Maybe take it off and test it with a 12v feed direct from the battery. Listen and see if it sounds unnecessarily noisy or 'dry'. If it looks like it has seen better days, then look for a good aftermarket replacement from one of the motor factors. May not be the fix, but an inexpensive elimination of a possible cause.
K.

[dogwalker64]

Thank you for the help. I’ll give it a try.

[dogwalker64]

Just to update. Changed the starter motor and havent had the problem for 2 days now.fingers crossed

[Kenton]

That's great Thanks for updating the thread and letting us know. Glad you are sorted, and come back to the forum soon mate

[Boghopper]

I have the exact same problem on my '56 Connect and am going down the starter motor route. I have compared the voltages on my Tourneo 1.8 with the Connect 1.8. I have just fitted a new battery and alternator on the Tourneo, but the Connect battery and alternator are nearly identical readings, even under cranking load. The battery and alternator were put in at the end of 2017, on the Connect. The starter is the original and is now 18 years old with 80,000 miles of cranking under its belt.

Will fit a new one and let it be known if the intermmitent and lazy crank vanishes. I have noticed that you can purchase the brushes and holders for the Motorcraft starters, so I will get one of those as well. In recent years I have been keeping all my old parts and refurbishing them as much as possible.

[Boghopper]

Yes, changed the starter over; managed to get a refurbed Ford item: RE2T14-11000-CC. Anyway, that's got rid of the lazy starting; it's almost aggresive the manner in which it starts now.

[Boghopper]

Just to add; I have had this van since early 2009, when it still had six months warranty on it. Well, the clock, on the radio has never kept the correct date. It always kept the time, but not the date. It would gradually start falling behind with the days and you would have to keep on re-adjusting it. Anyway, since changing the starter motor the date does not fall behind anymore, don't know why, but there it is. Another piece of worthless trivia.