starter issues-rebuild or new?

[rickcdewitt]

hey guys thought i'de throw some dumb Q's out there after a little searching and being too lazy to pull the starter and bench check it or borrow a load tester.

i clearanced the brush holders on my starter so the last bit of brush would fall down and contact but now its giving me more trouble in the form of an intermitant click and no start followed by what seems like a big draw that dims the headlights and the rest of the system.

smack the starter a bit and wait and then she starts?

when i had it apart i noticed the bushings/bearings in the starter had enough slop the copper wound part would deflect enough to hit the magets in the case slightly.

do you guys think that would cause a temporary draw that lasts until i turn the key off and on a few times?i guess when it happens again i'll pull the positive lead(to check if the starter is where the draw is) and jumper power to the fuse box to see if the lights are still dim.

when it craps out jumpering power across the solenoid to start it doesn't work

is this rebuild worth it? http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=VLP&MfrPartNumber=FDS03

thanks, rick

 

[Explorin94]

I see your dilemna and don't blame you a bit for wanting to save some money. Although you could put that rebuild kit in your starter and it should be fine, but what kind of shape are the windings in? Do those need replaced or repaired? Sometimes when the starter thumps like that and doesn't want to go it creates a hot spot in the windings. Ultimately it's your choice as to what you want to spend and 20 bucks is alot better than $140 for a new/rebuilt unit. But with the new/rebuilt unit you may get a lifetime warranty. If you rebuild it that is fine but.....it may work for 10 days or 10 years.

 

[rickcdewitt]

haha yeah i know the right way to fix it.its just the draw and dim lights that have my curiousity

 

[Explorin94]

haha yeah i know the right way to fix it.its just the draw and dim lights that have my curiousity

Are all the connections clean. Battery and block?

 

[rickcdewitt]

that would cause it to continue to draw juice after you let up on the key?probably not

 

[shadetree]

Parts stores used to stock rebuild kits for starters and alternators. I haven't seen any for a while tho. With the rebuild kit being about 20 bucks and the starter about 30, not worthwhile fooling with it.

If it is a more expensive starter, I usually go to a auto electrical repair shop. They will sell you the brushes and bushings.

If the armature is hitting the magnets(dragging) it will draw excessive current trying to turn. A starter in good condition is very close to a dead short anyway, and the dragging starter adds to the current draw, and leaves little current available for other circuits.shady

 

[Explorin94]

that would cause it to continue to draw juice after you let up on the key?probably not

Just trying to help you fix your problem...........if you don't want the help then I'm out and good luck with the fix..what ever it is!

 

[rickcdewitt]

Just trying to help you fix your problem...........if you don't want the help then I'm out and good luck with the fix..what ever it is!

easy now,its all appreciated.when a guy starts off a thread with-

hey guys thought i'de throw some dumb Q's out there.
no start followed by what seems like a big draw that dims the headlights and the rest of the system.

he might be wondering what would cause a draw, not how tight the cables are.

If the armature is hitting the magnets(dragging) it will draw excessive current trying to turn. A starter in good condition is very close to a dead short anyway, and the dragging starter adds to the current draw, and leaves little current available for other circuits.shady

this on the other hand sounds like a winner,thanks shady

 

[rickcdewitt]

i got a starter from the wreckers off a exploder that had an engine fire.it looked less than a year old judging by the non waterproof stickers and receipt in the glove box and cost as much as the rebuild kit at 20$.the solenoid doesn't stick on and brown out the whole system until you take off the battery cable anymore.