Starter Problems

[Jason (IL)]

The starter on my cub has been acting up lately to the point that I have to literally pull the starter rod pretty hard to get something. It has been that way the past few times untill today when I went to plow snow I got nothing. So my dad and thought we would go get a new saddle switch but that made things worse as all it did was spark and not turn over at all. I fiddled with it a bit and got nothing. So I went to the parts cub and took off that starter and things work fine now.
So I am wondering if things need a good cleaning inside or is it time for a rebuild?

This is a 6v starter and battery, the original starter has worked just fine till the past few weeks, and I tried to fix it but I did more harm than good. In my opinion the saddle switch I bought is very cheap and I believe garbage as it bent up when I puller to start.

Thanks
Jason

[Eugene]

Have the starter repaired by the local shop that specializes in starters and generators.

[Boss Hog]

Clean the brass contact on the starter under the switch. If it is worn too much it may need to be replaced

[Jason (IL)]

Boss,
I did clean the brass contact under the switch, prolly should have mentioned that. But I found no change. I did find a lot of gunk that came out when I removed the switch. I thought that might be the problem but what ever I did, I got no change. I did try to turn the brass contact to as dad suggested but no change was made. I think I will have it taken in to be fixed right. Unless there be a simple fix I am not finding.


Thanks

[Boss Hog]

I am guess it was worn down where the contact hits?

[Rick Spivey]

I think Boss has nailed this one. It is normal for the contact to wear, and while it is wearing, you may find that "pulling harder" will work, as you described. Then, when you changed the switch, it was different enough that it didn't fully connect with the copper contact point very much at all, so you get sparks, but not enough amperage to turn the starter over. I'm betting with Boss that a new contact will fix this starter. However, if you take it in to a specialist, they can clean up any other issues that go along with wear and time, so that you get back a well functioning starter.

[challenger]

You can isolate the problem by removing the switch and fixing a jumper cable between the battery and the starter to see if it repeatedly responds when you make and break contact. If it is sluggish or fails to turn now and then, your brushes may be worn down and need replacing.

[Rudi]

Jason:

I have become a believer in taking certain parts to the properly qualified people to fix em. For starters, generators and cut-out/regulators they all go to my local AC Delco Authorized Service Centre. These guys know their AC Delco stuff and replace any worn parts with genuine replacement parts. The prices are more than reasonable as well. I no longer will mess with the electrical stuff - gets too expensive replacing parts and not having the system work.

In this case they can check it over, determine if anything else is wrong and fix it. That way you will know that it is fixed right and will last a long time.

[ntrenn]

Have you checked the starter brushes? Bad brushes use more current, which makes everything else seem bad, when $10 worth of brushes fixes a lot of ills.

[clodhopper]

You can isolate the problem by removing the switch and fixing a jumper cable between the battery and the starter to see if it repeatedly responds when you make and break contact. If it is sluggish or fails to turn now and then, your brushes may be worn down and need replacing.

One side of a set of jumper cables will work for this test. If it works with the jumper test, the switch stud needs replaced. If you are not comfortable opening up the starter case, by all means take Rudis advice.