asking for starter help

jCarroll · Nov 16, 2019

6v, +ground, off a JD 40.
This starter was rebuilt by a reputable automotive electric shop in 2015. It sat on my shelf until I just now am reassembling this tractor. (I know - but I've been busy).
Starter does not "energize" - spin. The switch was also new, so I took it off and jumped the negative cable directly onto the copper stud under the switch. I got a weak spark - no motor spin. Repeated this several times - same result.

Is my next step to make sure the brushes are contacting the rotor?

What else to check?

TIA

old · Nov 16, 2019

Sitting that long can cause the armature area where the brushes run to corrode and need to be cleaned plus can also cause the brushes not to move up and down as they should so they contact the armature as they need to

Bob · Nov 16, 2019

"Sitting that long can cause the armature area where the brushes run to corrode and need to be cleaned"

That seems very strange and unlikely to me, unless it has been stored in a very damp/corrosive area.

Just for giggles, before tearing things check your battery and ALL connections, then give the "belly" of the starter a SMACK with a plastic dead blow hammer and giver 'er another try.

teddy52food · Nov 17, 2019

Using the Bendix gear, turn it a half turn or so. May be a dead spot in the armature or corrosion.

showcrop · Nov 17, 2019

I like to check the simple stuff like the battery terminals first.

jCarroll · Nov 17, 2019

I'm ashamed - but I owe it to you guys who offered help.

It was the battery - I was using an old one which had been on the charger.
Checked 7 volts no load - had enough juice to fire the coil as I was setting the timing.
Had enough juice to light one of the headlights for several minutes,
but when I hit the starter, it dropped to 1.4 volts.

I had the starter dust shield off, could see it turning the armature slowly, but not fast enough the engage the Bendix, or hear it turn.
Commutator was in perfect shape.

showcrop · Nov 17, 2019

(quoted from post at 12:56:56 11/17/19) I'm ashamed - but I owe it to you guys who offered help.

It was the battery - I was using an old one which had been on the charger.
Checked 7 volts no load - had enough juice to fire the coil as I was setting the timing.
Had enough juice to light one of the headlights for several minutes,
but when I hit the starter, it dropped to 1.4 volts.

I had the starter dust shield off, could see it turning the armature slowly, but not fast enough the engage the Bendix, or hear it turn.
Commutator was in perfect shape.

Congratulations on going for the quick and simple first and thanks for posting back!

asking for starter help

jCarroll

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Bob

Well-known Member

teddy52food

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

jCarroll

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

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