What did I do wrong?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Texas
What did I do wrong?
I have my engine in with no distributor. I got the starter bolted in this morning with the wires that were hooked up to it originally. I have not hooked the ground strap up to the engine yet.
Just to check that things were good power wise I connected the battery and as soon as I did the starter engaged and started turning the engine. I had to disconnect the battery to get it to stop. I crawled under double checked wiring then tried it again and same result.
I tried it again and no issues. I stuck the key in the ignition to see what happened. I bumped it twice no issue starter would engage and quit when I turned key back to off. I bumped it again and I had to disconnect the battery again to get it to quit. I've tried it a couple times since and it's not every time.
Its the same CVR mini starter I pulled off the old engine that was working fine 2 months ago. No ground strap on engine yet. Does it have to have the ground strap connected to engine block to start? Any ideas?
Just to check that things were good power wise I connected the battery and as soon as I did the starter engaged and started turning the engine. I had to disconnect the battery to get it to stop. I crawled under double checked wiring then tried it again and same result.
I tried it again and no issues. I stuck the key in the ignition to see what happened. I bumped it twice no issue starter would engage and quit when I turned key back to off. I bumped it again and I had to disconnect the battery again to get it to quit. I've tried it a couple times since and it's not every time.
Its the same CVR mini starter I pulled off the old engine that was working fine 2 months ago. No ground strap on engine yet. Does it have to have the ground strap connected to engine block to start? Any ideas?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Disconnect the small wires from the starter, the starter crank signal wire and ignition bypass wire if equipped , leave the main battery wire connected at the starter and reconnect the battery. If the starter cranks the problem is internal in the starter. If it does not crank , with the battery connected use a test light to test for power to the starter crank signal wire . You may have a short to power somewhere. Also if you have the starter bypass wire switched with the crank signal wire it could be feeding voltage back to the starter and engaging it . hope it helps .....Craig
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Texas
Thanks for the help.
Yet again operator error on my end. This is the first time I've taken on a project like this and I have no one to turn to.
This starter is the same one that was on my old engine. I'll never tell how many hours I've spent on the starter alone, while dealing with the new engine. I had shimming problems that turned out not to be issues and this issue today. The car would have been started and cam break in done last week if it weren't for this #$%$%% starter.
Turns out everytime I pushed the starter up into place was the issue. The s terminal is loose and would turn and make contact with the connections on the other terminal making the solenoid have constant power.
And for the record it's a CVR starter. I didn't buy it, on the car when I bought it. The only way I've found to contact em is through email and they don't respond. I hate companies with no customer service.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I'm in the same boat only I in properly shimmed my starter and crushed a bearing.. I replaced the bearing but I believe I screwed up my ignition. Switch now as everything but my key buzzer and voltage to the solenoid works.. I'm buying a mechanics starter bypass trigger switch today at harbor freight just to get it started and broken in.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I have run into this problem... It is the mini starter you have.... The large battery wire terminal on the back of the starter, when torqued on it to tighten the nut to hold the wires, will move/slip in the socket that holds the stud... And then inside the starter it shorts and starts running.... If you move that nut/stud assembly clockwise/counterclockwise a bit the problem will go away... But is that safe?????? New starter... And not a china king unit....
And mike ward is very correct,,,,, I would get a blade down the distributor shaft with drill motor and pre prim your engine before anything else
And mike ward is very correct,,,,, I would get a blade down the distributor shaft with drill motor and pre prim your engine before anything else
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
That's not a good situation with a flat tappet cam. Hopefully you had a lot of assembly lube on the lobes but if your cam wipes out, you know why
The starter might of had a tight fit between the flywheel and starter gear. Now that the gears broke in to a wear pattern, it should be ok.
The starter might of had a tight fit between the flywheel and starter gear. Now that the gears broke in to a wear pattern, it should be ok.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Texas
That's not a good situation with a flat tappet cam. Hopefully you had a lot of assembly lube on the lobes but if your cam wipes out, you know why
The starter might of had a tight fit between the flywheel and starter gear. Now that the gears broke in to a wear pattern, it should be ok.
The starter might of had a tight fit between the flywheel and starter gear. Now that the gears broke in to a wear pattern, it should be ok.