Starter Not Working (Just Humming)

[mitchmanfc]

I think in this senecio it wouldn't hum it would be whirring.

Well funny enough I went from humming to after I took it out and freed the gear up a whirring where it wasn't engaging. So everyone is right.

try and keep the solvent out of the motor section as best as you can, and a very light oil works best. your favorite peneratrating oil should get it working good.

That's the plan. Going to wrap the motor section in plastic and then carefully wash the rest. Thanks for the reminder though.

 

[Joe K]

I thought exactly the same, Marshall. If the engine is seized, the OP might hear the Bendix engage the flywheel but then, nothing - no humming sound. IMO, a broken or missing Bendix bolt is about the only likely culprit.

May not even be as extreme as that. An oily or greasy now dirty bendix "spiral" can make the gear part hang up. You press the button and all you hear is the motor.

The solution is undo the starter and access the bendix, clean off the bendix spiral, and re-lubricate using a "light" oil. My usual is the "3 in 1" almost sewing machine oil - this applied and then wiped off except at the interstices of the spiral.

A more modern solution I haven't tried might be "spray silicone" - not the WD40 version which is closer to an oil and will probably work fine like 3in1, but rather the "dry" powder silicone sprays. This at least won't attract dirt and bring you back to the same non-work.

Joe K

 

[mitchmanfc]

May not even be as extreme as that. An oily or greasy now dirty bendix "spiral" can make the gear part hang up. You press the button and all you hear is the motor.

The solution is undo the starter and access the bendix, clean off the bendix spiral, and re-lubricate using a "light" oil. My usual is the "3 in 1" almost sewing machine oil - this applied and then wiped off except at the interstices of the spiral.

A more modern solution I haven't tried might be "spray silicone" - not the WD40 version which is closer to an oil and will probably work fine like 3in1, but rather the "dry" powder silicone sprays. This at least won't attract dirt and bring you back to the same non-work.

Joe K

So it was essentially this and now 1 of the three Mitchell Manufacturing Cars is up and running.

Took the starter out, cleaned it exceptionally well and wire brushed gently off all the build up. Then was still sticking a bit but really focused on getting the spiral clean and lubricated well.

Took a couple trys, but we are going!

 

[Phil Brown]

Good to hear, now you just have to drive it enough to keep it from gumming up again

 

[Synchro909]

So it was essentially this and now 1 of the three Mitchell Manufacturing Cars is up and running.

Took the starter out, cleaned it exceptionally well and wire brushed gently off all the build up. Then was still sticking a bit but really focused on getting the spiral clean and lubricated well.

Took a couple trys, but we are going!

What are the other two cars?

 

[mitchmanfc]

Good to hear, now you just have to drive it enough to keep it from gumming up again

That's the plan I'm working on. Once I'm pretty sure it's running well I'll trailer in home and then try to get it out once or twice a week for puttering around town. I live in a small town, no traffic, and a pretty good community around old cars so would be fun. Then just trade out cars every few months to keep them all sound. I'm sure my parents will drive them a bit too, once I have them going

What are the other two cars?

There is this car.. 1929 Coupe.. Body wise it's a little dinged up, but has lots of bells and whistles. Overdrive, Syncro Trans, Electronic Ignition, a 5v charger plug etc
Then a 1931 Fordor that is majestically pretty, but has historically been plagued by small issues. My dad's current assessment of that car is.. "I think we took something apart it that last time we worked on it."

Finally my Car (Grandma Sue left it to me) is the 1936 Early V8 Sedan. It's my next project and should just need a full fluid change and some new gaskets in the Carb. It's the next project!



Thank you all once again.

 

[rackops]

One of my cars has a starter that occasionally just "hums". I've always interpreted that as the starter not engaging. Typically, if I just let it sit for a bit, it will reenage.

It has jammed up once on me. I simply removed the bolts on the starter, reseated it, and it ran fine.