Starter Motor Questions

A

Auernig

Junior Member
Starter motor question....

What causes the starter motor to get stuck in the flywheel? Occasionally, my starter motor gets stuck and I've been removing it to get the bendix to retract from the flywheel. It works fine when I re-install it.

I noticed on some other threads that you can rock it back and forth in high gear to get it unstuck. Anyone had this problem before? Does that work?

Is this a sign of bad starter or could I be depressing the starter switch too long?

-Thanks,

Auernig
 
A bad bendix or worn teeth on the flywheel gear will do it. I am sure there are other things that can do it also.
I had the problem with mine, replaced the bendix with the "modern style" sold by the model a parts stores, no more problems.
 
A weak battery, poor cables, bad connections, worn starter bushing, bent starter shaft, and worn flywheel teeth as Jon mentioned. A worn starter bushing (usually the drive end) can cause the starter to drag, and if the engine doesn't start, the drive could stay engaged. Pushing the car forward in high gear is the way I would disengage the stuck drive.

BTW, I've never had an original Bendix stick engages on my Model A's. I also put some light lube on the pinion and helix.
 
ive also seen sometimes the replacement bendix's only just touch the flywheel teeth with the outer 1/4" of teeth which means its not fully engaging the flywheel causing it to bind up tooth on tooth.

I would pull the starter(disconnect battery first!) and check the flywheel teeth and bendix teeth + all the stuff Tom mentioned above.

I think ive read somewhere on here a very rare amount of people have had the ring gear on the flywheel be loose/not sitting flush causing starter issues.
 
Thanks for the suggestions - I'll pull the starter and take a look at the bendix and flywheel closely.

@Tony - Interesting question about retarding the spark lever. Normally yes, this time however no. For some reason I just forgot this time. I've had this happen to me in the past a handful of times where the starter gets jammed in the flywheel. Could the spark lever have something to do with it?
 
Auernig said:
Thanks for the suggestions - I'll pull the starter and take a look at the bendix and flywheel closely.

@Tony - Interesting question about retarding the spark lever. Normally yes, this time however no. For some reason I just forgot this time. I've had this happen to me in the past a handful of times where the starter gets jammed in the flywheel. Could the spark lever have something to do with it?
Click to expand...

You bet it could. It could even bend the shaft or Bendix spring due to kickback from trying to crank an engine with the spark too advanced.
 
the best policy is to retard the spark the instant you turn the key off. And then double check it again before you re-start.

This gives you 2 chances to get it retarded.
 
Great - I'll bet that's it. Hopefully I haven't damaged anything. I thought you only retarded the spark if the engine was cold.

My grandfather did a frame up restoration on my 1931 Mode-A Coupe in 1979. He drove it a total of 243 miles after he restored it and left it to me when he passed in 1994, I was 14.

Needless to say - the family Model-A expertise went with him. I've dilligently stored it since then and just got it running last summer. It started on the first try thanks to reading these forums! I've got alot to learn so any other idiot rookie things I should be aware of? :)

-Thanks!
 
Auernig,

The function of the spark lever is to adjust the timing of the spark as the speed/load of the engine changes. The adjustment is not like the GAV which changes with temperature.

The owners manual for the car (buy from Model A suppliers) gives you some info on how to use the spark control.

Spend some time learning about this control. It's very important.

Marc
 
When checking the flywheel for worn teeth, be sure to check the back side of the flywheel. I have a 9Ntractor that the starter was jamming. When I pulled the starter and looked at the flywheel, the flywheel teeth looked fine. A closer inspection revealed that the back sides of the teeth were badly worn. On the tractor the ring gear was able to be replaced. On the model A ,I don't know.
donQ
 
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