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Midget Starter Question

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TheMidget69

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Hey everyone.

It seems as though my starter has crapped out. Should I get an OE rebuilt starter or the High Torque gear reduction starter for my Midget?
 
It all depends on your pocketbook. Someone on here last week was saying they could get a rebuilt Lucas from one of the chain stores for $50 exchange. I believe it wasa '64 Dodge Dart cross referenced and fit. Someone correct me if I am wrong please.
 
I don't know, but I say it is a Cricket. It doesn't matter. Most big box stores have our cars in their system, so they can get it or not.

How do you know it has died?
 
I am assuming it is the starter. I checked the distributor and the the battery is brand new. I turn the key and it struggles to crank by the 3rd turn the car makes no sound. If I jumper cable the car it starts immediately.
 
Does not sound like the starter if it starts easily with a jump. That's still using the same starter.
 
... which suggests it isn't the starter.

If it starts when jumped from another battery, suspect battery terminal connections. Your terminals could have corrosion inhibiting the current from your "new" battery. Remove the battery leads, clean the terminals and the inside of the connecting leads using a wire brush (do not use too much force with the brush - only enough to dislodge crusty deposits). Replace and tighten.
 
I'd agree, fix the simple stuff first. Could also be the connection at the solenoid is crudded up and green. If it starts when jumped likely not the starter.
 
If cleaning the terminals doesn't do the job, get the engine running and check the output of the generator. The charging system might not be charging the battery. Just hook up your voltmeter to the battery and you should be seeing about 13.5-14.5 VDC from the generator/control box.
 
Don't forget to check the ground path back to the battery...Make sure the starter mounting bolts are firmly tightened down, and the ground strap on the engine is solid. I had a starter that would barely turn over, too...turns out the mounting bolts were loose. (Yes, folks, that's the <span style="font-style: italic">same </span>starter that fell out on the highway! :rolleyes: )
 
bthompson said:
Don't forget to check the ground path back to the battery...Make sure the starter mounting bolts are firmly tightened down, and the ground strap on the engine is solid. I had a starter that would barely turn over, too...turns out the mounting bolts were loose. (Yes, folks, that's the <span style="font-style: italic">same </span>starter that fell out on the highway! :rolleyes: )
Click to expand...

where it turned over and over and over and over :jester:
 
Also, make sure that the battery is charged. Especially if the car has a generator. These are notorious for not keeping the battery in a good state of charge. When I had a generator, I would often have to put it on an external charger; that was a major reason for my alternator conversion.

If the thing starts when jumped, it pretty much has to be battery terminal connections or the battery itself. I suppose it's also possible that, say, an intermittently bad ground just happened to work when you jumped it, or your jumper cable inadvertently bypassed a bad ground connection. So, these things are worth checking too.
 
Generator should do the job just fine. Never have a problem and only drive it maybe 10 miles everyother week.
 
The PO of Midget did the Delco alternator conversion and added the modern fuse box. The battery is new (bought it 3weeks ago) The lights, turn signals and radio work just fine. I checked all the terminals at the starter and battery and everything seems good and tight.

I attempted to start the car last night and it sorta cranked but after the 3rd turn of the key and nothing happened. I jumped started the car and it started right up. I drove the midget around for about an hour. parked it. turned the car off and attempted to start it again and it worked. after turning the car on and off a few times it eventually didn't have the juice to start up again. I must be a newbie cause i have no idea what the heck is going on with the midget lol.

as always the help is much appreciated :smile:
 
Do you have an ammeter in it? Voltmeter? To see if the car is putting juice back as it runs? Battery could still be bad. Did you check the connections at the solenoid too? I'd take them loose (disconnect the battery first), clean with a swipe or two of sand paper, tighten back up (a smear of dielectric grease would be good if you have some). Just some thoughts, I'm struggling a bit with electrickity issues of my own.
 
No voltmeter or ammeter. I'll check the connections to the solo
jvandyke said:
Do you have an ammeter in it? Voltmeter? To see if the car is putting juice back as it runs? Battery could still be bad. Did you check the connections at the solenoid too? I'd take them loose (disconnect the battery first), clean with a swipe or two of sand paper, tighten back up (a smear of dielectric grease would be good if you have some). Just some thoughts, I'm struggling a bit with electrickity issues of my own.
Click to expand...

No voltmeter or ammeter. I'll check the connections to the solenoid and see what happens. Maybe I'll need to replace the solenoid. If that's the issue - simple fix I hope :smile:
 
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