starter bushing hell

[Larry" <rocco16v@netzero.com (Larry)]

Tob- Sounds like you have a clear grasp of how starters work.  You seem to
be right on all counts and I have no doubt you will correct the problem.
Keep rocin'

Larry
----- Original Message -----
From: T. Reed <treed2@u.washington.edu>
To: Larry <rocco16v@netzero.com>
Cc: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2002 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: starter bushing hell


> > If your starter was stuck both ON and in the engaged position, it can
only
> > be because the solenoid (which controls both functions to the starter)
was
> > on.
>
> Yes, but if you take the solenoid apart, you'll see that it is a big
> electromagnet that pulls a "plunger" in a bore and there are electrical
> contacts in the middle of both as well as a spring between them. I had
> mine apart and cleaned it thoroughly to the point where it was clearly not
> sticking (on the bench at least). The plunger and the bore both had a
> smooth mirror-like finish. I didn't use any thick sticky grease on
> re-assembly.
>
> So the solenoid is not sticking on its own... but I think it is sticking
> with the help of the fork that it hooks in to on the starter. Something
> about the starter is strong enough to hold that fork out and counteract
> the spring inside the solenoid.. but only if the conditions are just
> right.
>
> And by holding the solenoid in the "on" position, it keeps feeding itself
> more juice so it keeps running forever and ever.
>
> If the solenoid was sticking by itself, shutting off the main power cable
> that it switches (the 4 gauge to the solenoid) would stop the starter but
> the starter would run again when the power cable was reconnected. It does
> not.
>
> Furthermore, tapping the solenoid with a hammer or blunt object does
> nothing when it is "stuck".
>
> I noticed on the new (rebuilt) starter it takes a lot more strength to
> "pull" the solenoid (bring the gear out to "engage the flywheel") by hand
> than on the old starter. Maybe the spring in the old solenoid has just
> lost its strength. I don't know.
>
> Either way, it doesn't matter because I'm replacing the starter and the
> solenoid as a unit. I just need to find a way to get that damn starter
> bushing in without dropping the tranny or destroying the bushing (again).
>
> Thanks..
>
> -Toby
>
>

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