intermittent dead starter

J Witt said:
I'm having an intermittent problem with the starter acting like it has no electrical power. I can jumper direct to the copper pass through and it still won't run, but most of the time it will turn the engine over nicely. So far it hasn't stranded me, but I know my luck will run out. Probably in front of an admiring crowd. :p

My thought is that there is an open winding that periodically ends up under the brushes, but I figure the forum will have some suggestions. I may take it off the car tomorrow for a closer look.

The battery is currently at 6.8V and the solenoid is closing with a solid click. All the connections between battery and starter are showing good voltage, but the starter is not pulling the battery down at all, so no current is passing through it.

Thanks,

John
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My guess is your battery is weak... I'd put a charger on it for 12 hrs and see if that makes a difference... (My Battery became weak on a 2A trickle charger...) It was only after 2, 12hour charging sessions @ 6A did she have enough current to spin the engine... Thus far 4 months and no re-charging... and she held a charge without being started for 3 and half weeks..)

Anyway something simple to try...
 
Sometimes bendix hangs on ring gear locking everything up. Putting it in third and rocking car, you will hear it when it pops back. Same symptoms. engage starter nothing all electrical check out fine. There is a reason this happens but I forgot it. Good luck.
 
The overhauled starter is back on the car and the rework made a huge difference in how fast the engine turns over. I'd guess maybe twice as fast as before.

The repair guy said there were several dead commutator segments where the windings had come unsoldered, plus commutator out of round, worn brushes, etc. He resoldered the loose windings, refinished the commutator, new bushings, new brushes, everything cleaned up and the result is like new performance. Who'da thunk it!

For those in the Atlanta area: Auto Electric Remanufacturing. Nice work, very reasonable price.

Thanks to all for your comments and guesses,

John
 
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