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TR6 TR6 Starter motor chatter

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TR6oldtimer

TR6oldtimer

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Well, awhile back I refurbished my stater. Yesterday, when I first fired if off mounted on the engine, it knocked like crazy. At first I thought "Rats, that better not be my engine". It wasn't. When I by-passed the solenoid, the starter ran smooth and quiet. I suspect the solenoid may be shot or I made a mistake in the assembly of the unit.

Any thoughts on what would cause this on my '73 TR6.
 
quote=tdskip]How would the solenoid make a rattly noise? (not saying it wouldn't, just not sure how)[/quote]

Beats me, that is why I asked.

Actually, when the solenoid is first engaged, the pulling coil is activated, that closes internal contacts which closes the circuit to the starter motor and activates a hold coil. The sound and action of the starter is like "rat-a-tat" over and over again, as if the solenoid is bouncing against those contacts.

I guess it is time to pull it off and take another look inside.
 
Just a WAG... could it be hung up on the ring gear?
 
TR6oldtimer said:
quote=tdskip]How would the solenoid make a rattly noise? (not saying it wouldn't, just not sure how)
Click to expand...

Beats me, that is why I asked.

Actually, when the solenoid is first engaged, the pulling coil is activated, that closes internal contacts which closes the circuit to the starter motor and activates a hold coil. The sound and action of the starter is like "rat-a-tat" over and over again, as if the solenoid is bouncing against those contacts.

I guess it is time to pull it off and take another look inside. [/quote]
I believe you're on the right track, Ray. I've seen other electromagnetic devices like the starter relay and the Anti Run on Valve do the same.
 
Have you checked all of your connections and the battery for full charge. It could be voltage drop, when the starter is running there is not enough juice to keep the solonoid engaged. The solonoid drops the starter which then gives it full voltage then the starter starts and the cycle starts over again.
 
Or, it might be that the holding coil is open. I've seen that happen with A-type OD solenoids, which have a similar arrangement, and rat-tat-tat is a good description of the noise they make.
 
Rhodyspit75 hit it on the head. It was a bad connection. Whew...
 
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