Chevrolet Sail Starter 24522406 | 12V 1.4KW | 9T

Product Overview

The 24522406 is a GM part number for a 12-volt 1.4-kilowatt starter motor built for the GM small-car range sold in China, the Chevrolet Sail and New Sail, the Buick Excelle, and related SAIC-GM-Wuling models. The unit is a Valeo-design permanent-magnet gear-reduction starter carrying the 24522406 and 9025295 references, with the Valeo numbers CVS081542, D6GC301, TS12C3, and TS14E15 and a long aftermarket cross list. It serves the 1.4 and 1.5-litre S-TEC petrol engines in those cars. It is a gear-reduction starter with a 9-tooth pinion.

The reason this starter matters is the car it turns over. The Sail and New Sail are among the most produced small cars in the world's largest car market, and the Wuling Hongguang built alongside them is the microvan that became a working tool across China. A starter for that volume of cars is a steady replacement item, and the 1.4KW Valeo design is the figure those engines were designed around. The unit ships brand new with a one-year warranty, in current stock with a 10-day lead time.

Net weight is 2.65kg; gross weight is 2.8kg. Dimensions are 240 by 120 by 160mm. Packaging is neutral kraft box, suitable for distributors and workshop stock without brand disclosure.

The Starter Behind China's Most-Produced Cars

The Chevrolet Sail started as a global small car and became a China-specific model, the New Sail, built in huge numbers for first-car buyers. The Buick Excelle sits next to it as the long-running entry sedan, and the Wuling Hongguang from the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture became the van that moved goods and families across the country. These are not enthusiast cars, they are the cars ordinary drivers depend on every day, and the starter is the part that has to fire them on a cold morning in a provincial car park or a rural yard. A no-start on a Sail or a Hongguang is a problem that strands a person or a business, not a hobby.

On a 1.4 or 1.5-litre S-TEC petrol, the 1.4KW rating is the right size. A petrol engine lights on a spark and needs far less cranking torque than a diesel, so the starter only has to spin the engine to firing speed. The Valeo permanent-magnet gear-reduction design keeps the motor compact and light, at 2.65kg, and the reduction gears multiply torque at the pinion just enough to drive the 9-tooth gear into the ring gear. The result is a small unit that handles the daily start cycles of a high-mileage city and rural car without the weight and current draw of a commercial starter.

The solenoid is the standard 30-and-50 layout. The thick 30 (B+) cable carries the cranking current from the battery, and the 50 (ignition) terminal is the thin control wire that pulls the solenoid. When the key turns, the solenoid throws the pinion and closes the 30 contact at the same time. A starter that clicks but will not turn points to the 30 circuit, the battery, or the motor; a starter that spins but does not engage points to the pinion or the solenoid fork. On a high-mileage Sail, the battery and the 30 connection are the usual suspects, and the test settles it before you order.

For sourcing, the leverage is the cross-reference list, because the same Valeo starter serves several GM nameplates under different numbers. The 24522406, 9025295, and CVS081542 references all describe this unit, and the KRAUF and ZAUFER cross numbers help when a catalogue carries a different reference. Confirm the part number, the 9-tooth pinion, and the mounting pattern together, because GM fitted different starters across the S-TEC range.

Technical Specifications

Engine Compatibility

The 24522406 starter fits GM small cars with the 1.4 and 1.5-litre S-TEC petrol engines. Confirm fitment by model, year, and engine code.

GM fitted different starter ratings across the S-TEC range, including later 1.5-litre and turbo revisions, so confirm the existing part number and the 9-tooth pinion before ordering. The 1.4KW gear-reduction unit is the specification for the New Sail 1.4, the Excelle 1.5, and the related SAIC-GM-Wuling models listed above.

What to Look for a Replacement

The first check is the pinion and the mounting. This starter uses a 9-tooth pinion and the GM small-car mounting pattern. Confirm the old starter matches, because the S-TEC range saw several starter variants and a wrong pinion count fouls the ring gear. The 30 (B+) terminal and the 50 (ignition) control wire are the connections to check, so inspect both cables and their condition before ordering.

The second check is the battery, because even a light-demand petrol starter needs a sound battery. A 1.4KW unit draws less current than a diesel, but a weak battery or a poor 30 connection will still leave it clicking instead of cranking. Clean the 30 terminal and the earth, and load-test the battery before fitting. A slow crank that improves with a jump lead points to the battery, not the starter.

Confirm the mounting matches the old unit and the harness plug seats correctly. The Sail and Excelle use the same Valeo pattern, but the brace and the plug vary by model year, so photo the old unit before removal. Inspect the ring gear teeth for wear while the starter is out, because a chipped ring gear will destroy a new pinion. Refit to the spec torque and reconnect the 50 plug before the 30 cable.

For the install, the standard procedure is sound: disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the 30 cable first then the 50 plug, undo the mounting bolts, fit the new unit, and reconnect in reverse order. Torque the mounting bolts to spec, and photo the harness route before removal to avoid a crossed wire.

Application Scenarios

• Independent GM and Chevrolet workshops across China and the export market, where the Sail, New Sail, and Excelle are high-volume cars and the 1.4KW starter is a regular replacement at modest mileage. The 24522406 and 9025295 references are the numbers to source, and the Valeo, KRAUF, and ZAUFER cross numbers help when the catalogue carries a different reference.

• First-car and daily-driver use, where the Sail or Excelle is the owner's only transport and a no-start strands a commuter or a family. The Valeo gear-reduction design handles the daily start cycles of city and rural driving, and a reliable starter is the difference between a working car and a recovery.

• Commercial and rural use, where the Wuling Hongguang works as a goods van and a people mover and the starter has to fire it cold in a yard or a market. Stocking a known-good unit avoids a no-start that stops a small business for the day.

• Parts counters that carry one box to cover several GM nameplates, because 24522406, 9025295, and the Valeo CVS081542 all resolve to this starter. The 9-tooth pinion is the feature to confirm for the S-TEC range.

• Workshops diagnosing a no-crank or a click-without-turn, where the 30/50 solenoid layout separates the fault: a click without cranking points to the 30 circuit, the battery, or the motor; a spin without engagement points to the pinion or the solenoid fork.

• DIY owners who have confirmed a starter fault and need the correct part number, pinion count, and mounting before fitting the replacement themselves.

FAQ

Q: Will this starter fit my Chevrolet New Sail 1.4?

A: Yes. The 24522406 is the correct 1.4KW starter for the New Sail with the 1.4-litre S-TEC petrol engine, and also the earlier Sail 1.4. It fits the Buick Excelle 1.5 and, per the QDY12186 reference, the Wuling Hongguang 1.4. Confirm the existing part number, the 9-tooth pinion, and the mounting pattern before ordering, because GM fitted different starter ratings across the S-TEC range over the years.

Q: What is the difference between 24522406, 9025295, and the Valeo number?

A: These describe the same starter under different catalogue systems. 24522406 and 9025295 are GM references, and CVS081542, D6GC301, TS12C3, and TS14E15 are the Valeo original-equipment references. All resolve to the 12V 1.4KW 9-tooth permanent-magnet gear-reduction unit for the 1.4 and 1.5-litre S-TEC petrol range. The KRAUF and ZAUFER numbers are aftermarket interchanges.

Q: My starter clicks but will not turn. Is it the starter?

A: On this 30-and-50 solenoid starter, a click without cranking usually points to the 30 (B+) circuit, the battery, or the motor, because the solenoid is pulling but the current is not getting through. Check the battery, the 30 cable and its connections, and the chassis earth first. A starter that spins but does not engage points to the pinion or the solenoid fork instead. Because the cranking demand is low, a healthy battery usually rules the cables in or out quickly.

Q: Why is this starter 1.4KW and gear-reduction?

A: A petrol engine lights on a spark, so the starter only has to spin it to firing speed, which needs less torque than a diesel. The 1.4KW rating suits the 1.4 and 1.5-litre S-TEC engines, and the Valeo permanent-magnet gear-reduction design keeps the motor compact and light at 2.65kg while multiplying torque at the pinion. A direct-drive unit of the same torque would be heavier and draw more current.

Q: Can I fit this myself?

A: The replacement is a manageable job with basic tools. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the 30 cable first then the 50 plug, undo the mounting bolts, fit the new unit, and reconnect in reverse order. Allow one to two hours. Clean the 30 terminal and earth, and inspect the ring gear for damaged teeth while the starter is out, because a bad ring gear will destroy a new pinion.

Q: Does this also fit the Wuling Hongguang?

A: The same Valeo-design starter is listed for the Wuling Hongguang 1.4 under the QDY12186 reference, which shares the S-TEC family with the Sail and Excelle. Confirm the part number, the 9-tooth pinion, and the mounting pattern for the specific Hongguang variant before ordering, because the joint-venture range saw several starter revisions.

Q: What is the lead time and warranty?

A: Units are in current stock with a 10-day lead time for dispatch. All units carry a one-year warranty from the date of installation. Warranty claims require documentation of the vehicle and part number. Check specific terms for commercial or fleet use.

In Practice

The independent GM workshop will see the Sail or Excelle at modest mileage with a no-crank that the owner blames on the battery. The diagnostic that earns the job is the 30/50 split: a click without turning points to the 30 circuit, the battery, or the motor, while a spin without engagement points to the pinion or the solenoid fork. Because the S-TEC is a low-demand petrol, the battery and the cables are the quick check, and confirming them first settles it. Fitting a correct 1.4KW 9-tooth unit restores the clean engagement the engine needs.

For the high-volume Chinese market, this starter is a stocking staple. The Sail, New Sail, and Excelle put enormous numbers on the road, and the Wuling Hongguang adds the commercial demand, so a known-good Valeo-design unit turns over steadily. The neutral kraft packaging also suits distributor and parts-counter environments, and the light 2.65kg unit is easy to handle on a busy bench.

For the technician, the checks that prevent a come-back are the 30 terminal, the ring gear, and the plug. Clean the 30 (B+) terminal and the chassis earth, because a poor connection there produces a hot solenoid and a no-crank that looks like a bad starter. Inspect the ring gear teeth while the old unit is out, and replace a chipped ring gear rather than fitting a new pinion against it. Confirm the harness plug seats correctly, because the brace and plug vary by model year, and a crossed wire is an easy mistake. Photo the old unit before removal, and document the part number to confirm the replacement is correct the first time.

About the Author

Wei Zhang is an automotive aftersales engineer based in Shanghai, China, with a professional focus on GM economy cars in the Chinese aftermarket. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where his studies covered automotive electrical systems and the starting requirements of small petrol engines.

After graduation, Wei worked for a parts distributor specialising in SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling vehicles, with the Chevrolet Sail, New Sail, and Buick Excelle among his core responsibilities. Over twelve years he advised independent workshops across eastern China on correct parts identification and electrical diagnosis for the S-TEC petrol range. His workshop experience taught him that the Sail and Hongguang are the cars ordinary drivers depend on, and that a no-start strands a commuter or a small business rather than an enthusiast. The 30/50 solenoid split is the fastest way to separate a bad starter from a bad battery or a tired cable, and he learned to confirm the pinion count and mounting before ordering, because a wrong pinion fouls the ring gear and comes straight back.

In his current work Wei supports independent GM specialists, fleet operators, and parts distributors on coverage and cross-referencing for the 24522406 starting system, with a focus on the New Sail, Sail, Excelle, and Wuling Hongguang petrol models. He maintains a cross-reference set covering GM, Valeo, KRAUF, and ZAUFER numbers for the 1.4KW gear-reduction starter, and contributes technical notes to regional trade publications on GM small-car starting faults and preventive maintenance for high-mileage S-TEC engines. He has a personal interest in the engineering decisions that made the Sail and Hongguang two of the most numerous vehicles on Chinese roads, and in the practical limits of their stock 1.4KW starting system under daily city and rural duty.