5 replies to this topic

[speedwell1]

Hi all,

Having a few issues with starting my car, I've got a powerlite hi torque inertia starter fitted to my car, it's been starting without problems until the other morning when it just started to spin and then randomly decide to engage, I then noticed sparks through the front grill when the starter was just spinning without engaging,

I've taken everything apart, starter motor off and checked the ring gear which is fine no chewed teeth or metal filings present!

Replaced solenoid and cleaned up all the earths and mounting points and put back together ,

Problem 1

When I turn the ignition key to the cranking position nothing happens, no click or anything,

Problem 2

I then thought just to test if the starter would engage after everything had been cleaned up I bridged the solenoid terminals, starter still spinning buthe not engaging, it sounds as if the bendix is not firing in far enough and is just tickling the edge of the ring gear


Really frustrating as it just seems to have happened overnight

Any ideas / advice appreciated

I should mention that the flywheel is almost brand new and has the correct ring gear for starter, it was working perfectly before hand

[andyapanel]

I had very similar symptoms on my rebuilt engine after 800 miles last year.

The starter began graunching against the flywheel, then eventually stopped doing anything.

Although the Hi torque starter was faulty (I believe there was a short in the solenoid), it also turned out the lightweight flywheel (MINISPARES VERTO type) had not been manufactured properly. The ring gear had not been seated properly, so the starter teeth were only engaging the edge of the ring gear.. It was a bit loose and when the flywheel was removed it just slid off with the tap of a hammer.

All in all it was expensive to solve an annoying problem that should never have happened. I was disappointed with the manufacture of the Flywheel as I had always bought my parts from Minispares because of their quality.

Good luck.

[speedwell1]

So done a few more tests,
Tested for 12v from ignition feed to solenoid and got 12v when the key was turned to cranking position,
I ran an earth lead from the solenoid mounting and still have nothing when I turn the key so can only assume that I've bought a duff solenoid?!

Bench tested the starter and it's working fine, and have checked the battery is fully charged

I'm stumped

[andyapanel]

Run another earth from engine to body in, just in case the earth is dodgy..

My Hi Torque is pre engaged-I gather yours is not? I would bypass the solenoid and see if the starter will work.

If yes, you may be looking at a duff solenoid.

Good luck.

[speedwell1]

Problem 1 solved , had been sold a duff solenoid, put the old one back on and it's the starter motor now turns when the ignition key is in the cranking position

I still have the issue of starter bendix not engaging with the ring gear, it takes a few turns of the ignition key before it will then all of a sudden turn the engine over, it sounds like it's just tickling the very edge of the teeth on the flywheEl before ithe randomly engages, anyone any ideas please?

[tiger99]

Is it really a Bendix (inertia and coarse thread) engagement or is it pre-engaged by solenoid? A Bendix needs a clean and dry thread, any trace of oil will gather dust and make it stick. A good spray with WD40 and a blast of air to dry it off is recommended. You will need to turn the pinion by hand against the spring to expose it for cleaning. In some cases it will need to be taken apart.

If you do want to lubricate it, a dry kubricant, either graphite powder or Teflon based, should work.