Stupid Starter Brush Question

Just bought some new starter brushes Via our resident awesomeness Chacal.
Now, those little clips that hold the brushes in and press them up, is there a certain way to re-install those? They dont seem as tight as when I took them off the first time. I think they are whats causing my starter not to work. Or maybe I have the brushes upside down??
-Chris

 

They should be pressing the brushes down not up.

 

On the side of the brush box is a spring - like a watch spring - that puts pressure onto the brush so it makes good contact with the armature (Copper segments). Check the brushes move freely in their boxes.

 

Also be careful upon reassembly to get the brush plate oriented correctly. It's possible to install it in such a way that the starter either won't work or may turn backward instead.

 

Good info good info.
Brushes indeed move freely.
I'm going to double check the plate
-Chris

 

Well she's installed correctly. I made sure everything was in its proper place. I'm pressin the Start button and only a click comes from the solenoid. Cant even jump from the battery.
I'm thinking new solenoid
-Chris

 

Silly question:
Did you check the battery cables? The ground wire connection to the engine/frame?

 

Do you mean the motor will not spin if you short the solenoid?

Put a test lamp on the starter motor terminal and the other end to earth. Does the lamp light when the button is pressed?

Is the battery in good condition? I have had an occasion when all the lights came on but the starter wouldn't turn.

 

I had a problem with my '81 where it would always spin the starter no sweat THE FIRST TIME you hit the button.

Then, you might get it to spin, or just get a "click." Click, click, spin (maybe) click...

After a complete wringing out of all the associated wiring/connectors, a fusebox repair, cleaning then subsequently replacing the RH switch module, it would still do it. Less frequently, but enough to be annoying.

I was going to pull the solenoid apart and clean it but decided my time wasn't worth the cost of a new one especially since it might not work after spending 3 hours on the R&I.

So I replaced it. The new, modern tech one I got from Len is slightly smaller which is a boon in itself.

FIXED.

 

Placed a bid on a Solenoid on Ebay. 30 day guarentee. We'll see what develops. Till then I'll check the grounds like Chico suggested.
I was really hopin to get her runnin the other day too.. It was real sunny out.
-Chris

 

Well been doin some more testin and its not the grounds. I'ma try cleanin out the Solenoid, and takin the starter to be tested. I hope the starter isnt dead That'd mean a longer wait on the projects i need to do over the winter. Gr. Love hate relationships
-Chris

 

You can test the starter yourself: Simply hook up two decent-sized wires from a battery to it, it should spin. All the solenoid does is "switch on" full battery current, you simply bypass all that and feed it 12 volts. (Yes you'll get some sparks so be careful. I also recommend clamping the starter down somehow because it will jump out of your hand from torque.)

 

First, doing a voltage drop test of all load divices within the
starting circuit system will save time and money.
Just replacing parts because they could be the prob gets
expensive.
It could be nothing more then a wire that has broke within the
sheath or even severe corrosion/loose connecton you cant see.
Determine where the voltage is stopping/dropping after it leaves
the (fully charged) batt.
A batt can seem fine and be new and still not provide the nessesary
amps to turn the starter so start there.
Good luck.

 

If you have a manual and a multimeter (or know someone who has) check for a circuit through th starter. BigFitz's method will work to!

 

Well once or twice when I push the start button or when I tried to jump the solenoid she tried to spin. One tiny little sound, and then nothing.
When you say hook two wires up Fitz, you mean one end on the + battery and then one end on the starter contact? I didnt even get sparks from her.
-Chris

 

I think Fitz was suggesting removing the starter and having one wire between battery + and the other end on the starter motor terminal and the other from battery - to somewhere on the motor chassis.

If you didn't get sparks, it sounds like there is no circuit through the starter motor.

EDIT: The only thing I can think of is no continuity through the starter motor armature. I checked my Haynes and it says each commutator segment should be connected to all the others. It does not give an Ohms value - probably because it will be low. ALSO there should be NO continuity between the commutator and the armature shaft.

Do you have a manual?

 

The starter only has on thick wire, this goes to the + side of the battery & the body of the s/motor to the - hold it tight. 8O

 

Do an easy Test.
Pull the Starter.
See if it will spin hooked-up to a Battery Charger.
Hook the + Cable to the Pigtail
Touch the Groung Cable to the Starter Body.
Hang-on tight. They make a lot of Torque.

If the Starter fails to Spin ... you installed the Brushes incorrectly.

Eliminate one problem by wrapping the Brush Wire.
Use a strip of Vinyl Tape.
Cut it in half down the middle.
Use one side to wrap the Electrical Lead to the Power Post.

 

Well.. She will not spin at all. I've tried just about everything.. I'm guessin she's just toast.. I'ma keep tryin till i find a cheap starter on here. Thanks a million guys!!

 

Got a new Solenoid and a used 650 Starter on the way. Both things that were on my replace list.. So, guess its good to get em out of the way now... Lol, i'd been hittin my starter with a wrench for months every once in a while to get her started FYI Time for a new one. I'll keep my old one and take it to my buddies shop to have it rebuilt so I got a spare
-Chris

 

Just received a starter from a Midnight Maxim and presto. Starts up like a champ! I'm going to have the old one rebuilt and keep it as a spare i think
-Chris

 

You never told us you had been smiting it with a wrench/spanner/tool (check the chinese instructions)

 

Cause thats probably the worst thing for it... I got mad she wouldnt start on day and the starter got the wrath of my fist and she fired right up. Never again