Battery/Starter Advice Needed

pjdeb

pjdeb

Senior Member
I have been focusing my headlights. So the battery was drawn down. Battery is two years old. When starting the A, the starter whirls, but does not engage.

Recharged the battery. Read 6.2 volts. Starter whirls and still does not engage. Crank started and went for half hour ride. Back in the garage. No go.

Before pulling the starter to look at solinoid or bendix, thought I would ask for some advice. I am not an electrical engineer. Could it be that battery voltage is OK, but it is not delivering enough cranking amperage?

Grounds are tight and clean.

Thanks
 
Could be even tho battery says 6.2 V, May not be, I went thru three batteries in a week with the same results. Says good but not. Changed to NAPA battery- All is good. Take it to a reliable supplier and they can put a load test on it,right after you think it may be charged.
 
If it does turn out to be the bendix, make sure you get any debris (like a broken bolt, e.g.) out of the flywheel housing--if there is any debris. Might not be. Lots of advice on this board on how to get stuff out of there. Magnets, gobs of grease, etc.
 
Well, it has been a learning experience, anyway. Removed the starter. Expected to find broken bendix spring. Looks good. Am I missing something in the attached picture?

Back on the idea that although battery voltage tests OK, battery is weak.

Starter whirs but does not engage.

Thoughts?
 

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pjdeb said:
Well, it has been a learning experience, anyway. Removed the starter. Expected to find broken bendix spring. Looks good. Am I missing something in the attached picture?

Back on the idea that although battery voltage tests OK, battery is weak.

Starter whirs but does not engage.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Where is the second bolt holding the bending spring?
 
pjdeb said:
I have been focusing my headlights. So the battery was drawn down. Battery is two years old. When starting the A, the starter whirls, but does not engage.
Click to expand...

more info needed.

Does the whirring stop, ie battery cant crank once bendix has engaged flywheel?

Does whirring continue, bendix not engaging?

Is whirring too slow, and not spinning fast enough to send bendix out?

You could have a little of both.


On the battery, measuring voltage right after charger disconnect is almost pointless. The battery will have excess surface charge. You need to let the battery rest with no load and measure voltage 24 hrs later. I forget the exact numbers, but 6.2 is not impressive. 6.35 is more like full charge. Little voltage differences matter, another reason specific gravity is a better test.

A very good tester is a specific gravity tester, looks like turkey baster. Not expensive, and gives accurate state of charge and battery health.

With an SG tester, you also can test all 3 cells, all should be close. One low cell indicates sick battery. Careful handling the electrolyte, its a strong acid. wash hands and rinse tester afterward. careful with errant drops.

Load test is good too.
 
Your battery may have a poor ground connection. Try cleaning the battery post connections and especially the ground connection to the frame. That took care of a similar starting issue I had.
 
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