Starter VAZ-2101: problems and solutions. The old kind "kopeck"

Problems with the starter can arise regardless of what brand of your car and how old it is. What can we say about the legend of the Soviet car industry VAZ "kopeck" 2101, if the last car of this model came off the assembly line in 1984. Despite the honorable age, these cars are still on the roads of the former Union, and the owners continue to repair them in their garages. In this article we will talk about what a VAZ-2101 starter is, what faults it most often occurs, and also consider the methods for their elimination.

Peculiarities of the construction of a "cheap" starter

The first "penny" was equipped with starting devices ST-221. Their design consisted of:

• The case, which is simultaneously a stator with excitation windings;
• Two end caps;
• Anchor (rotor) with collector and drive;
• Retracting relay.

In fact, the SST-221 is a classic four-pole electric motor that consumes direct current from the battery. A feature of this device was a collector with transversely arranged plates. In principle, all electric motors at that time had such a design.

Over time, the SST-221 replaced a new starter VAZ-2101 modification 35.3708. By the way, it is released today. Almost all VAZ "classics" were equipped with them. Structurally, it differs from the predecessor only by the presence of an additional winding of the retractor relay, a longitudinal collector and an improved stator. All other elements remained the same, which allowed and allows you to easily change the outdated model of the launch device to a new one without any modifications.

Symptoms of a starter fault

Faulty starter VAZ-2101 when trying to start the engine can give the following symptoms:

• The retracting relay does not work (does not click), the rotor does not rotate;
• The relay works, but the anchor rotates too slowly;
• The traction relay works repeatedly, but the armature does not turn the flywheel;
• The relay works, the starter rotates, but does not rotate the flywheel;
• The operation of the starting device is accompanied by an uncharacteristic sound;
• Starter VAZ-2101 works normally, but when you release the ignition key does not turn off.

Now consider each of the characteristics in more detail.

Traction relay does not work, the anchor does not rotate

Such symptoms may indicate that:

• Defective or fully discharged battery;
• The contact on the pole terminals of the battery or on the connection of the positive wire end and the starter terminal disappeared;
• An interturn closure occurred or an open in the winding (windings) of the retractor;
• The anchor of the retractor sticks.

The relay works, but the anchor rotates too slowly

If the relay is triggered when the engine is started, but the starter does not develop the necessary speed, this may indicate that:

• The battery is low;
• There is an oxidation of contacts on the battery or on the retractor;
• Burned plate collector;
• Brushes were worn;
• One of the positive brushes closes to "mass".

The relay operates repeatedly, but the armature does not rotate

If the retracting starter relay VAZ-2101 works several times in succession while turning the key, but the armature does not rotate the flywheel, the reason for this may be:

• Battery discharge;
• Voltage drop in the circuit due to oxidation of contacts;
• Short circuit or open in the winding of the traction relay.

The starter works, but the flywheel of the engine does not rotate

In this case, the following faults can occur:

• Broken or off the axis of the freewheel clutch lever;
• Clutch slip;
• The buffer spring is broken;
• Damage to the clutch ring of the freewheel.

The trigger works, but produces an unusual noise

The starter's operation is accompanied by an uncharacteristic sound when:

• Weakened fastening and skewing of the device;
• Damage to the cover on the drive side;
• Wear of bearing bushes or shaft necks;
• Violation of fastening of the poles of the stator (contact of the pole with the armature);
• Damage to the drive teeth or flywheel crown.

The starter does not turn off in time

The reasons for the fact that the starter does not turn off after starting the engine, can be:

• Seizure of the drive lever;
• Weakening the springs of the traction relay or the free-wheel clutch;
• Jamming of the armature of the retractor;
• Jamming of the coupling on the splines of the anchor shaft.

Before you start repairing

Having found out that the starter VAZ-2101 does not turn, do not rush to go to the maintenance station or dismantle the device. To begin with, make sure that the reason is in it, not in the battery or wiring. First of all, check the condition of the battery output terminals. If there are signs of oxidation on them, remove the wires from them and thoroughly clean them. To check the integrity of the wiring, take a section of the multicore cable and use it to connect the positive terminal on the starter to the corresponding battery terminal. So you directly connect the starter to the power source. To do this, of course, it is necessary with the ignition on and the gear off. If the starter will work, and your VAZ "penny" will normally start, the cause must be sought in the wiring or the ignition. Otherwise, the launcher will need to be dismantled for further diagnosis and repair.

Remove the starter

To remove the starter in the "penny", raise the hood, disconnect the terminals from the battery and remove the hot air hose from the engine to the air filter. Further it is necessary to disconnect the heat shield. The starter in all the cars without exception VAZ "classic" is attached to the clutch housing by three bolts to 13. Turn them with the appropriate key. After this, unscrew the nut of fixing the positive wire to the terminal of the starter. Now the starter can be removed by sliding it slightly forward.

Traction relay repair

First, unscrew the nut on the retractor relay, which is closer to the motor housing. We remove the output of the windings from the pin. After that we turn off three nuts of fastening of the relay, we disconnect it from the stator.

Having unscrewed the nuts on both studs, it is necessary to carefully remove the two contacts of the windings located on the back cover. After that, you can shoot it. Carefully inspect the condition of all elements of the relay: springs, contact plates, pentads (contact bolts). The latter, by the way, very often burn, so they are recommended to be polished with fine sandpaper to shine. It is also necessary to do with the plate. If the signs of a malfunction of the starter indicate a relay, be sure to check (ring) the tester of its winding. After making sure the device is working, it can be assembled in the reverse order. In the event of a malfunction of any of its parts, it will be necessary to replace it or replace the entire part assembly.

If you feel that you can not repair the VAZ-2101 starter relay yourself, you can simply replace it. Moreover, it costs about 500 rubles.

Disassembly, diagnostics and repair of the starter

We pass to the starter itself. To disassemble it, unscrew the two screws of the back cover with a screwdriver with a cross bit. After removing it, gently pry out the lock ring of the shaft and the washer. Then unscrew the two bolts with a key for 10, by which the body of the device is pulled off. After that, the screwdriver needs to unscrew the four screws that secure the terminals of the stator windings. Now you can extract the anchor. Having done this, remove the cover from the stator.

We pass to the diagnosis. Having carried it out, we will determine that we will: repair the VAZ-2101 starter or replace it. We begin with brushes. They are located in the back cover щеткодержателя. Get them out of their seats and evaluate their condition. In the presence of cracks, chips, traces of short circuits on their surfaces, the brush should be replaced. Using a ruler or caliper, measure the height of each of these parts. It should not be less than 12 mm. If at least one of them has wear, exceeding the specified index, it is necessary to replace the entire set of brushes.

Carefully inspect the copper lamellas (plates) of the collector. They should not have any signs of damage. Otherwise, the whole rotor will have to be changed.

To check the integrity of the stator windings, we need an ohmmeter. It is connected to the common winding output and the starter housing. When the resistance device is less than 10 kOhm, the interturn closure is evident.

If you do not have an ohmmeter at your fingertips, the test can be carried out using a piece of insulated wire with a plug for a standard outlet and a normal 220 V filament lamp. The voltage is applied through it to the common terminal and to the mass (device casing). With serviceable windings, the lamp will not burn. Naturally, this test is unsafe, so it is not recommended for people unfamiliar with the basics of electrical engineering.

Pay attention to the details of the starter drive. They should not have any signs of wear or damage. The drive gear must rotate easily in the direction of rotation of the starter shaft. Finally inspect the hubs of the device covers. In case of visible wear, replace them with new ones.

If serious faults are detected, such as a break or shorting of the windings, damage to the stator housing, so as not to bother with repairs that cost a round sum, it is easier to buy a new VAZ-2101 starter. The price of the device, depending on its modification and manufacturer, varies between 3000-3500 rubles. Well, and that it does not break, adhere to the rules of its operation, provided by the manufacturer.