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Powemaster problem

Old Mar 31, 2016 | 04:00 PM
  #1  
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Default Powemaster problem

Is there a Corvette Repair for Dummies publication??....finally got the starter installed and the clearance was identical to the failed starter so I saw no need to shim(altho one was supplied) and now I get the starter spinning and not engaging???
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 05:00 PM
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how did you wire it, sounds like the solenoid has an issue? Did you bench test it to make sure the bendix gear extends?

Last edited by MelWff; Mar 31, 2016 at 05:01 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 05:12 PM
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Powemaster should have come with directions on how to test it.

I used a spare battery and remote starter button.
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ddawson
Powemaster should have come with directions on how to test it.

I used a spare battery and remote starter button.

I got instructions and the only thing I didn't do was to bench test it. When my starter went bad, I bench tested it and the solenoid pushed out the gear but did not spin the motor...should I take it out or possibly it is not engaging for some other reason??
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 05:51 PM
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I would bench test it. Doesn't take long to remove and make sure you don't go grey chasing the wrong thing.

If it tests good then you know the problem is some were else.
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 05:54 PM
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BTW what year is your car. Do you have both Purple and Red wires.



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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 07:02 PM
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I had the same problem with a Powermaster and sent it back for another and it was fine.
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Old Mar 31, 2016 | 09:51 PM
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Default Powermaster starter

Originally Posted by ykf7b0
I had the same problem with a Powermaster and sent it back for another and it was fine.
I had the same issue; I went to NAPA and bought an OE starter with no problems.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by ddawson
BTW what year is your car. Do you have both Purple and Red wires.


1970 454 and no purple wires......1 black large gauge wire which is the power lead 1 ignition wire and 2 red wires...




see above lines
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by stephenmsweigart
see above lines
I bench tested and the bendix gear comes out and it spins,,,so I reinstalled using the shims that came with the starter.....hit the ignition and can hear the bendix pop out and the motor spins but does not engage....????


any help to remedy this situation...got the 9400 which was the recommended starter.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:46 PM
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You need another starter. I had this issue and nothing I did would rectify it. Powermaster has great products and I've had many but they are still human.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 08:17 PM
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This is Powermasters response to me.




Hi, Steve
Sounds like a low voltage issue. I would start by checking the cranking voltage at the ignition terminal of the starter. This voltage needs to be at least 10v during cranking. If the voltage is lower than this it can cause solenoid damage, sounds like what may have happen to the stock starter. You can also use a temporary jumper wire or button to bench test the starter on the car. Make sure that the starter mounting pad is extremely clean also, the starter uses this surface to ground and not just the bolt.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 08:18 PM
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This is my response.....
Bench tested starter and it works perfectly as it should. I reinstalled and tested voltage at the terminal to see if there was a voltage drop and there was none. I used external 12volt source while mounted to the car and you can hear the solenoid click and the motor spin and it does not engage. I removed external source and connected to the vehicle ignition and tried to turn it over and got the same results. It seems that the bendix gear is not engaging the flywheel for some reason. Any other test I can do
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 08:38 AM
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ttt
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 11:52 AM
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Well my Powermaster is still sitting on the shelve because I was having the same issue.

I was frustrated so I bought a the DB one. Staggered bolt pattern.
http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-1319-c...sdr0031-l.aspx

Worked the 1st time I turned the key so I left it there.

Last edited by ddawson; Apr 2, 2016 at 11:54 AM.
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 12:13 PM
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I started a thread a while back entitled SBC Mini Starter. Check it out.
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ykf7b0
You need another starter. I had this issue and nothing I did would rectify it. Powermaster has great products and I've had many but they are still human.
Ask them to send you a new one and send the bad one back to them.

Last edited by babbah; Apr 2, 2016 at 01:55 PM.
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 07:14 PM
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OK I put the old starter back in and by shorting the terminals the car starts.......so the new power master block is about 1/2 inch longer than the old starter so the bendix never hits the gear. Thanks for all the help.....now I just need to find a new starter...any suggestions other than power master??
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 07:32 PM
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get the one that Dawson mentions above. good price!
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