Starter help

[bmwillia]

Ok...

I have minimal wiring. Neg Battery to Solenoid, Starter cable to other side of solenoid. Wire from battery side of solenoid to resistor then resistor to coil.


My problem is that the starter will turn the motor when the plugs are not in but when I put the plugs in the engine will not turn over.

I have good voltage(6 volts) to the starter and a good ground.

Any ideas?

Do I need to rebuild/replace the starter?

Thanks,

Brad

[Lawson Cox]

Stupid question, but are the plugs too long and hitting the pistons????

[Jack E/NJ]

Do you hear the solenoid engaging (a click) when the plugs are in? If so, battery is probably weak and unable to deliver enough cranking amps. Also try cleaning all connections, especially battery terminals with wire brushes.

Jack E/NJ

[Brendan]

make shure that your cables are big enough for 6 volts

[gmc1941]

Either you have a weak battery, which is only strong enough to turn over the engine or a weak starter, maybe under size cable since you didn't state the condition or size.

[Tinker]

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Direct connect just the starter with a good battery and plugs in. Eliminate the starter and engine.

[More Dust than Rust]

What happens when you put plugs in and take jumper cables directly from battery to starter?

[bmwillia]

New plugs - Champion D21

New battery, bought a few weeks ago, and fresh off of the charger

Cable is in good condition looks like it is #2 or bigger.

Solenoid clicks and the starter engages but will not turn the motor. Pulleys budge a little and stop.

The only connections I have not cleaned are the starter connections they look good though. I do not see any corrosion or dirt there. I will try to clean them tomorrow.


Thanks for the help guys.

[bmwillia]

Tinker,

What do you mean by "direct connect"?

[Tinker]

Direct from battery to starter. Jump it as suggested.

Clean the starter cable also. Starter grounds to engine. Sometimes a slow starter could be debri between start face and engine. Has happened to me anyway. Clean it free of paint and grease.

Run a frame or body to engine ground also. Never hurts to have more grounds.

[Bill S]

Check the voltage at the battery and at the starter during cranking. Feel the battery post is it warm or hot. Do you have a battery disconnect on the battery. Some times they are bad.

[bmwillia]

Bill,

The battery cables do get warm. Particularly the positive side(ground).

No battery disconnect.

Thanks,

Brad

[Tinker]

Cables will get warm if your cranking the starter for long periods of time, if they are undersized, or there is a poor connection.

[bmwillia]

Thanks Tinker!

I am going to clean all of the connections this weekend and run a frame to engine ground.


Can you tell me a good way to run the frame to engine ground? Wire guage? Connection location on the engine?

Thanks!

[Brendan]

the cables need to be 2/0 or bigger, for 6 volts. the lower the voltage the higher the amprege, there is mor restance with 6 volts

[Straightpipes]

Maybe the engines tight for some reason.

Bench test starter.

maybe armature needs cleaning and new brushes.

[jkeesey]

I would bench test the starter as mentioned and see how fast it motors. It may need cleaned internally or the brushes replaced.

[Tinker]

As Brendan said 2/0 or bigger.

I like to use welding cable and put ends on it. 2/0. More strands better flow. However it maybe over kill.


I have grounded to the firewall or frame (find an existing hole) to a head nut. Would like to hear what others have done too.

I'd jump it or bench test, before investing in a bunch of new cable. Although the investment of welding cable for battery connections has been rock solid for me.

[jimvette59]

Do you need a resistor on a 6 Volt system ? Try to turn the engine by hand / socket and breaker bar with the plugs in. Disconnect 6 Volt wire to the starter and jump the starter with a 12 Volts. JMO.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by Tinker

As Brendan said 2/0 or bigger.

I like to use welding cable and put ends on it. 2/0. More strands better flow. However it maybe over kill.


I have grounded to the firewall or frame (find an existing hole) to a head nut. Would like to hear what others have done too.

I'd jump it or bench test, before investing in a bunch of new cable. Although the investment of welding cable for battery connections has been rock solid for me.

that is good stuff to use, the atoms actually flow around the strands of wire, not through it. the heat that you feel is the friction of those little buggers flowing around the wire!