2004 Vauxhall Corsa C Part 12 - starter motor problem

The starter motor on the Corsa developed a problem so I decided to investigate it. This could've been one of several problems but in the end it was a simple fix. I took a different approach which made it easier to work on and to video. Watch the video and find out.
PLEASE NOTE: I'm just a DIY mechanic. I try to do things the correct way but sometimes I have to manage with what I have. This is a "how-I-did-it" rather than a "how-to".
Twitter: / parknest
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www.parknest.co.uk
Intro & outro music: Sweeter Vermouth Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@flwhitehorn]

I'll try to take a look from beliw. I just need to see if the terminals are on because it's as if the starter is just dead. No spinning or sound eminating. Thanks for reminding me about checking the bolt.

[@stephenjames6727]

My son just broke down in his Corsa 1.2sxi. The battery seems fine so will check how secure the starter motor is before I buy a new starter. I would have tried to access the starter from underneath the car but will take your good advice. Thanks for the video and commentary!

[@stevedoubleu99B]

I have the same problem, hope it's the same fix. Thanks for posting. Just to add, I was going to do it from underneath, so your advice looks good to me!!

[@Parknest]

For me it was easier to pull the inlet manifold off to get to the starter motor from above.

[@ammaarimran1809]

What wire was off got the same issue on my car

[@adriansmith4634]

Definitely the way to do the job. I tried the other way , from underneath, very difficult and time consuming.

[@Parknest]

It is much easier and I can get a better camera angle as well.

[@kabelomakgoba3095]

Nice one, now my corsa 1.7DTI just crank and wont start after it ran out of diesel. Please any help on how to start the will be much appreciated

[@Parknest]

I'm not familiar with those engines. Have you tried any of the Vauxhall or the Corsa forums? You will need to bleed the air out of the system. Did you run the fuel pump dry? Some fuel pumps rely on the fuel to lubricate them and if they're run dry it will kill them.

[@simbad-4724]

Hi, according you, is possible removing and refitting starter from above ?

[@Parknest]

Yes it can be done from above with the Z12XE engine.

[@sal7t5]

thats how my holden barina (corsa) sounds, i can hear the starter motor moving but it doesnt start. parknest, was this a sudden issue or did it gradually get worse over a few weeks (like mine)?

[@Parknest]

It was a loose starter motor bolt. I found it easier to remove the inlet manifold to get to the bolt rather than try access it from below.

[@sal7t5]

@@ParknestParknest thanks but my question was, did this issue happen instantly or gradually over a few weeks? I'm asking this as my car took longer and longer to start making that noise, now it doesn't start and still makes that noise. im trying to establish if it is the same issue.

[@Parknest]

It did gradually work loose. It had a replacement engine fitted and it took me a long time to get it running. The bolt might not have been tightened quite fully and probably worked loose once the car was running again.

[@sal7t5]

@@Parknest ok thanks, hopefully it is the same problem

[@JordanLouzado]

Have you got a video of how to remove the inlet manifold? Can’t seem to remove the inlet manifold something is stopping it from coming out

[@donkeykong2482]

Any help mine just doesn’t tick over at all you can hear the battery kick in but nothing else

[@Parknest]

Make sure your battery is fully charged. It should be about 12.6 volts.

[@donkeykong2482]

@@Parknest ye it is but it’s just got no kick to actually start the car

[@user-qi7cb2st9j]

What engine size and model is this please

[@Parknest]

It had the 1.2 petrol engine (engine code Z12XE).

[@stephenjames6727]

When I say he broke down I meant his car not him! In fact the car didn't actually break down, it just wouldn't start after a short journey. I just felt the need to clarify things since I would not like to suggest my son had some crisis and became distressed. Nor would I like to give the impression he was actually driving and the car when it broke down since a defective starter motor would not rarely cause a vehicle to break down once the engine is running. We are on our second 1.2 sxi since we have four kids. The first Corsa was a 1.0 litre, three cylinder gutless wonder but it managed about 90,000 miles before the cam shaft chain started rattling. Apart from water soaking the drivers footwell at some point in it's life ( brake servo seal deteriorates on bulkhead), I believe they are great small cars!

[@Parknest]

Yeah, no problem. I knew you meant his car. The leaking footwells are a known problem. James of @The Savage Garage had such problems with his Corsa.

[@flwhitehorn]

"As you can see..." I'm not seeing anything.