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Starter Issue

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asoupley

Jedi Hopeful
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Finally got to the point of turning the key... I hear the starter spinning, but it is not grabbing the flywheel. I removed the starter, and powered it up on the workbench, and I see the gear move back like it is supposed to.

Is there a trick to installing these starters? - it is a brand new starter.
Thanks, Tony
 
As it works o th ebench, my only suggestion is have you got a positive earth car and a neg earth started (or the other way round). I think that woul dmake is spin the wrong way, so the pinion wouldn't get spun out to engage.

There's no trick to installing them, shove em in and do up the 2 bolts.

The only other possibilty is if there are teeth missing from the flywheel ring gear, with the statre out you can put your hand through and feel.
 
Dumb story, both bolts need to be fited and the correct size or the gears just don't quite make it. Ask me how I know this some time, was on a cross country trip.
 
There are a few things that can cause what you are seeing.

First, there's no polarity to a starter, so don't fret over that.

I think you have low voltage to the starter brushes, such that the starter is not spinning fast enough to throw the drive. 2 potential causes: Bad ground. Test using a jumper cable from engine to battery or frame. 2nd, many people will snugly tighten the nut for the cable connection at the starter without holding the inner nut. There should be an inner nut that locates the stud tighly to the commutator end plate, and keeps it inside the insulator bushing. You should hold that nut while tightening the outer nut that holds the cable. IT ISN"T EASY. If it isn't tightened that way, several things can happen. The insulator gets crushed and the brush leads ground out. The stud turns and breaks the fragile aluminum strap connection to the brushes making the connection weak or non-existant.

Bench testing wont show the bad ground, and you, like me, probably just hook the jumper wire to the post, instead of tighening the nut which would show the brush connection issue.

Check the easy stuff first.

Good luck Peter C.
 
reach/look in the hole and check for mangled teeth....
if its your ring gear, youll have to pull the motor...
i did a walkthrough on the job, its here on the forum....z
 
Well, I checked the terminal on the starter - made sure it was tight, and re-installed. Turned the key and it engaged. I appreciate everyone's help! -Tony
 
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