Starter symptoms

jamesearthdrum · March 30, 2010, 01:41:19 PM

Hello folks,

I have noticed over the last year that my '89 is getting to be a bit more cold hearted when trying to start when it is below 50 degrees. I am going to replace my battery. My WestCo has done me well for the last 6 years and I don't want to risk being stranded if it gives it up. I am thinking about removing and cleaning my starter as well. What happens is the motor will turn slowly begin to fire and the starter will disengage and spin freely. Once in a while, again only below 50 dregrees, the starter will spin freely and not engage at all. Upon second and further attempts it will engage then release. I am looking for ideas as to what may be going on. Could low voltage be causing this?

andyb · March 30, 2010, 01:49:52 PM

Sounds like there is wear on the starter clutch to me, or it's not working for some other reason. Change the battery and see what happens, it's likely due.

Pulling a starter and cleaning/checking it isn't really difficult, but it's more work than a battery swap!

jamesearthdrum · March 30, 2010, 02:42:00 PM

Hi Andy,
What be this starter clutch you speak of? Is it inside the cases?
One of these days I need to get to work on this.

It's the 1314 '86 I picked up a couple years ago. The front end is so sacked that I won't need straps!!

andyb · March 30, 2010, 04:32:06 PM

ooohhh... how much arm is on that?

Starter clutch probably requires splitting to get access to. It's a dirt simple piece of kit, so I can't see anything going wrong with it under normal circumstances.

Fudge · March 30, 2010, 06:17:36 PM

Quote from: jamesearthdrum on March 30, 2010, 01:41:19 PM
Hello folks,
I have noticed over the last year that my '89 is getting to be a bit more cold hearted when trying to start when it is below 50 degrees. I am going to replace my battery. My WestCo has done me well for the last 6 years and I don't want to risk being stranded if it gives it up. I am thinking about removing and cleaning my starter as well. What happens is the motor will turn slowly begin to fire and the starter will disengage and spin freely. Once in a while, again only below 50 dregrees, the starter will spin freely and not engage at all. Upon second and further attempts it will engage then release. I am looking for ideas as to what may be going on. Could low voltage be causing this?

I have this exact symptom on my '92, usually below 50 degrees. After a few clicks of the starter button it catches. I'm putting a new battery over the weekend and checking the grounds to see if it cures the problem.

captaudi · March 30, 2010, 07:14:23 PM

Just for giggles, what weight oil are you guys running? When I had 20w/50 in my FJ below 45 degrees the starter clutch would not engage. After talking to Hank Scoot about oils he swore 10w/40 was plenty for the Mass climate. Changed oil and now it engages to about 32 degrees. I think these heavy weight oils do not allow the drive to engage at cold temps.

Just my heavily taxed 0.02 cents

Cheers,

Dan

weymouth399 · March 30, 2010, 07:56:00 PM

Plus 1 on that I totally agree
yamaha recommends 20/40 not to go below 40 degrees and 10/30 not to go above 60 degrees
so 45-50 degrees is to the low end of the range.
My bike seems to start well cold, but never tried below 40 degrees
My legends cars starts very well cold with 20/50 in it but has a much bigger battery, so battery is key.
And if hank said it's ok to run 10/40 in New England (than it's ok) he knows more about this motor stuff than all of us.

Bob

Fudge · March 30, 2010, 07:59:00 PM

Quote from: captaudi on March 30, 2010, 07:14:23 PM
Just for giggles, what weight oil are you guys running? When I had 20w/50 in my FJ below 45 degrees the starter clutch would not engage. After talking to Hank Scoot about oils he swore 10w/40 was plenty for the Mass climate. Changed oil and now it engages to about 32 degrees. I think these heavy weight oils do not allow the drive to engage at cold temps.

Just my heavily taxed 0.02 cents

Cheers,

Dan

I'm running 10/40 Mobile 1, but you're right when I was running 20/50 it was even harder to get it to engage. Oil weight did have something to do with it from what I remember.

jamesearthdrum · March 30, 2010, 09:07:07 PM

Quote from: andyb on March 30, 2010, 04:32:06 PM
ooohhh... how much arm is on that?

Starter clutch probably requires splitting to get access to. It's a dirt simple piece of kit, so I can't see anything going wrong with it under normal circumstances.

The arm is 4" over.
Now the oil idea is something I will consider. I am running 20w50 Amsoil. Hopefully we won't have many more cold night, but will indeed make a change come next fall. Thanks to all.

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Starter symptoms