On 24/07/2018 12:40, NY wrote:
"Tim Streater" wrote in message
.. .
If the alternator is capable of starting the car why don't they just
remove
the starter motor and save the cost and weight?

Which is what our Auris hybrid does.

Ah I didn't realise the Auris uses the alternator to start the car from
cold. I presume if the fan belt breaks you are utterly buggered because
you can't restart the engine (if it's stopped) to be able to drive (with
the engine using on battery rather than alternator power for its spark)
to a safe place to wait for Mr RAC or Ms AA to tow you to a garage.

Its worse than that on a smart car..
the same belt drives the water pump.
You may start the car and have the belt break and you will only get down
the road before you have to turn the engine off to stop it overheating.
Then you can't restart it.