10 replies to this topic

[Old Bob]

Newly built 1380.  Pre Verto clutch with inertia starter. New lightweight flywheel with new ring gear and nine tooth starter motor, fresh new battery.  Bendix regularly jams in, so starter motor runs but no engine start.  Engine will bump start.

 

Already replaced one starter motor which showed similar problems.

 

Could this be just because everything is new (grasping at straws!) or is a misalignment a possibility.

 

Advice appreciated - cars that won't start are so embarrassing.......

 

Bob

Edited by Old Bob, 17 September 2013 - 10:11 AM.

[Yoda]

 I assume that the starter ring is the correct one for the starter you have and that it has been fitted the correct way round?

Edited by Yoda, 17 September 2013 - 10:18 AM.

[Old Bob]

I think so Colin - it came direct from MED as part of their lightweight flywheel/clutch assembly and I am fairly confident that I installed it correctly.  Med confirmed that it was for a nine tooth starter motor.  The Bendix problem doesn't always occur which makes it all the more worrying.

 

Now that the planned road trip has gone belly up, I am trying to sort out all the little problems which should have been done before I bought the ferry tickets!

 

Bob

[Yoda]

It has been known for a starter ring to be fitted the wrong way round and the lead in edges on the teeth the opposite side to what they should be, this can stop the starter cog from engaging and allowing it to turn the flywheel. The other thing that comes to mind is a faulty earth, poor battery connection, duff motor not allowing a fast enough spin to pull the bendix hard enough to engage properly, again, allowing it to just spin. It could of course just be a dirty bendix. The fact that this is the second starter, suggests one of the other things being at fault. Might be worth doing a voltage drop test at the starter to see what is happening. I would expect to see a drop to around 10 volts on engagement and rising to around 12  or more once spinning. and finaly, what condition is the battery in?

 

Edit

If you have been supplied a heavy duty starter for the upgraded engine, maybe your battery is no longer man enough and needs to be replaced with one with a higher CCA rating. What happens if you jump start from another vehicle?

Edited by Yoda, 17 September 2013 - 11:54 AM.

[The Principal]

had a quick check on MED and MS all sounds compatible, are you using a classic OEM 9 tooth inertia starter? if so does the bendix move ok off the motor it moves on the spring ok?

[Old Bob]

Thanks Guys.  Yes, the battery is a new, fully charged 075 which should be man enough to do the job.  We have tried adding jumpers from a second battery but that made no difference.  We also tried using a jumper lead to check the engine/body earth.  As regards the starter motor it is a freshly re-con unit and the Bendix seems fine off the car.  Certainly I will do a voltage drop test.

 

Perplexing.......

 

Bob

[midridge2]

Does the bendix return easily when you remove  it off the engine, if not try some graphite powder on it.

[Old Bob]

Does the bendix return easily when you remove  it off the engine, if not try some graphite powder on it.

 

Yes, seems good off the engine.  As a matter of interest, where do you buy graphite powder or is it a case of just mashing up some pencil lead?

 

Bob

[KernowCooper]

Here Bob http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40

 

 

When you look in fron the starter hole on the inertia ring gear the chamfer should be on the outer edge away from you

[The Principal]

Not trying to teach you to suck eggs but your using one of these - http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop with the solenoid mounted on the wing? When they spin up the gear moves towards the starter motor body and as said above the chamfer on the fly wheel starter ring needs to be on the clutch side of the flywheel. If all the kit is Pre A+ then it sounds like the starter isnt turning fast enough to throw the bendix out or the bendix is getting caught on the starter ring. Do you have any pics? can you post the link for the MED flywheel?

 

one last stab in the dark, did you have any issues fitting the fly wheel is it fully home on the crank?

[Old Bob]

Here Bob http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40

 

 

When you look in fron the starter hole on the inertia ring gear the chamfer should be on the outer edge away from you

 

Thanks Dave - Good old eBay!

 

Bob