Start Me Up... Starter Problems

[GregnK]

Ok, We're stumped with this ASG Auto Electric starter on our 1970 Scout 800 (304). We have a new battery that has been tested, the solenoid is brand new, and connections & ground have been cleaned. The starter has been out twice and tested by NAPA and a local 70 year old starter/rebuilder expert. Both say the old starter is fine. The problem is when we reinstall the starter it sounds like the starter motor spins but does not turn the engine. The old timer said the starter clutch and bendix armature is fine so maybe the engine has a "sieze" spot??? Huh? But the engine runs strong and powerful if we push start it. The teeth on flywheel are fine. The old timer put a pair of pliers on the bendix gear and held it and it sounded like it does when it's in the engine. Help? What is going on here? Is there some sort of sheer pin that could be snapped on the bendix gear shaft? Do we just need a more powerful starter? Any suggestions...???

[Doc Stewart]

Something is keeping the Bendix gear from moving back towards the flywheel.
Could be a weak bendix spring. Could be that the starter is angled by a bit of yuk on the mating surface. Could be the linkage between the solenoid and the bendix.

Try another starter. If it works, leave it in there...

[Eric VanBuren]

Originally Posted by GregnK

The old timer put a pair of pliers on the bendix gear and held it and it sounded like it does when it's in the engine. Help? What is going on here? Is there some sort of sheer pin that could be snapped on the bendix gear shaft? Do we just need a more powerful starter? Any suggestions...???

If you can hold the starter drive (bendix) with a pair of pliers energize the starter and the starter turns w/o breaking free from the grip of the pliers, and it make the same sound it does when it is in the truck, then the starter drive is bad.

Most so called rebuilt starters on the market today are actually repaired units. They fix what is obviously bad, bench test it and if it spins, ship it. They make no attempt to test how much torque the drive can handle or what amperage the starter draws when under an actual load.

[GregnK]

Thanks,
It seems to make sense that the starter/starter drive is bad but when you have an "expert" and NAPA both tell you it's fine, you don't want to run out and buy a new starter. Too bad we bought a new soleoid as I will get another new one with the new starter. I will post back when we get a new starter installed. Is a 3 year rebuilt NAPA starter the way to go?

[Scott H]

I'm with Erik, bad drive. I won't ever buy a napa electrical part, way too many problems with them, a warranty doesn't do any good on a rainy/snowy night 50 miles from town. I have had good luck with advanced auto stuff.
BTW, the three year warranty starter is the same as the one year, you just pay more for the warranty.
Scott

Originally Posted by GregnK

Thanks,
It seems to make sense that the starter/starter drive is bad but when you have an "expert" and NAPA both tell you it's fine, you don't want to run out and buy a new starter. Too bad we bought a new soleoid as I will get another new one with the new starter. I will post back when we get a new starter installed. Is a 3 year rebuilt NAPA starter the way to go?

[GregnK]

Ok! Success!!!
A newly rebuilt, lifetime warrantied Advance Auto starter and varoooom. Thanks to this bulletin board, the experts were proven wrong. I don't understand how a guy who rebuilds starters and alternators for a living could miss this one (BNI Auto Electric Colorado Springs - Rich).

In summary, I think the Bendix was moving back and forth just fine, (especially with a new solenoid) but the gear on the starter shaft, after engaging the flywheel, would just would slip as the starter motor turned. So, under a no or low torque test the starter would appear just fine.

Thanks again