Starter or the starter switch?

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 4th, 2019, 9:15 pm

Yesterday I took my grandson to school in the morning and picked him up in the afternoon. My plan was to do the same thing today. However, when I attempted to start my jeep this morning, the starter spun the engine almost starting it. Then nothing. Pushing the starter button did nothing. The voltmeter didn't deflect at all.
I'm hoping the switch just decided to die and the starter is ok. Replacing the switch is a lot less work than replacing a starter.
Any ideas?

Mark · Unread post by **Mark** » June 4th, 2019, 11:33 pm

I'd check the connections, check battery voltage,/ put a voltmeter on the battery, try starting it/see what battery voltage is.

m3a1 · Unread post by **m3a1** » June 5th, 2019, 2:32 pm

Look over those ground points as well.

Fil Bonica · Unread post by **Fil Bonica** » June 5th, 2019, 10:33 pm

CAREFULLY make sure connections to the switch are tight and secure.
Then jumper the switch to see if the starter turns over properly.

Fil Bonica

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 6th, 2019, 1:23 pm

If I were to use a jumper cable from the battery directly to the starter, that would bypass the switch, right? Then, if the engine turns over, I need a new starter switch.

Unread post by **rickf** » June 6th, 2019, 2:29 pm

Yes, assuming the connections on the starter switch are not just loose or dirty. I would disconnect the negative terminal from the batteries and then pull the switch out and remove, clean and reinstall the cables and then put the battery cable back on and try it before condemning the switch. You can do the jumper bit to verify the starter but check the switch connections before just replacing it. Unless you happen to have a new one on hand.

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 7th, 2019, 1:11 am

Rick, that's probably what I should do, and I will. But doesn't it seem odd that in mid-start connections would suddenly become poor connections? The engine had started to spin and then just quit. And just prior to that, I had tried to start it but hadn't turned on the ignition switch. When I realized my error, I flipped the switch to "on", pushed the starter again, got a quick spin of the engine (which didn't catch) and then nothing.

Unread post by **rickf** » June 7th, 2019, 8:17 am

That sounds EXACTLY like a bad connection! The connection is questionable and then it arcs under load and no more connection.

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 8th, 2019, 4:25 pm

OK, I pulled the starter switch. The connections were tight, but the threads on both terminals were worn. The nuts would wobble but could be tightened. Being as how it's such a chore to remove and install the switch, I'm going to get a new one. I'm NOT putting this one back in.
And as long as it's going to be down a while, I pulled both batteries, topped off the charge on both of them and checked the water levels. I'm also cleaning up all the terminals and connections in the battery compartment.
I hope this cured my problems.

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 15th, 2019, 8:24 pm

OK, I did everything listed in my previous post. Still wouldn't turn over. Pulled the starter and found the bendix device stuck to the rear (towards the starter body). Luckily I had another starter available with a bendix installed. I cleaned it up and repainted it, after bench testing it, and installed it. Jeep started right up.
When I bench tested my original starter, it spun the shaft. So how does one get the bendix off the starter shaft? I've seen them listed on different vendor websites. I figure if I were to replace the bendix, I'd again have a working spare starter.

svramselaar · Unread post by **svramselaar** » June 16th, 2019, 7:07 am

hi

if you pull the spring with the plate to the front there must be a screw below it

george

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 17th, 2019, 3:09 pm

Ok, I got the bendix off. Lots of heating, liquid wrench and running my drill motor on impact but I got the screw out. For a while I was thinking maybe it was a left-hand thread. Tossed the Hendrix in the scrap metal bucket and cleaned up the starter motor. Eventually I'll get a new bendix and I'll have another back-up starter.
Thanks to everyone that provided the much needed advice.

muttguru · Unread post by **muttguru** » June 17th, 2019, 4:20 pm

If the teeth on your old Bendix are in good shape, immerse the whole Bendix in a good cleaning solvent and leave it for a day. Then put your rubber gloves on and do the "shake and dip" about a dozen times. Leave it to dry completely, then lubricate the whole Bendix with some very light oil (cycle oil is good). It should work perfectly.
NB...DON'T attempt to dismantle the Bendix itself...it isn't a practical proposition !

Ken

Bucolic · Unread post by **Bucolic** » June 17th, 2019, 7:37 pm

Well, thank you Ken. I'll dig it back out and give that a try. Saves me about $50.

Starter or the starter switch?

Starter or the starter switch?

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