Need help with starting problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
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From: Texas
Need help with starting problem
I went to start my 87 which normally cranks right up and instead of starting it cranked and then it was like someone had stuck a crowbar in the works(loud metallic sound) and I backed off of the key. I tried it again and it had exhausted my fully charged battery. After charging up the battery it cranked and then started normally. The car,once started runs great, but, there is for sure a problem. Is this what happens when the starter Bendix fails? I'm hoping I don't have a broken flywheel starter ring. Anyone else been there on this subject? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The starter motor is the only electrical device that can run your battery down in minutes without a mushroom cloud forming. I think your assessment of a bent or cracked and deformed tooth on the flywheel is most likely your problem. I own an 87 but I don't know if there is a dust shield on the back of the bell housing you can remove and observe the flywheel. All my other vettes had a dust shield. If so, you can with little work see the condition of the flywheel teeth.
The starter solenoid pushes the starter motor spur gear into contact with the flywheel ring gear. The starter solenoid I believe has two windings, one of large wire for large force to engage the gears and make electrical contact to put 12v on the starter motor and at this point a smaller wire coil holds the starter solenoid at the end of its stroke. You might have had a premature opening of the current to the large wire coil causing the spur gear to jam. Best take a look at the flywheel teeth.
The starter solenoid pushes the starter motor spur gear into contact with the flywheel ring gear. The starter solenoid I believe has two windings, one of large wire for large force to engage the gears and make electrical contact to put 12v on the starter motor and at this point a smaller wire coil holds the starter solenoid at the end of its stroke. You might have had a premature opening of the current to the large wire coil causing the spur gear to jam. Best take a look at the flywheel teeth.
Last edited by jfb; Aug 29, 2006 at 12:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks for the response jfb, of course I was hoping to hear that some had a failed starter bendix that exhibited those failure modes. The starter will be easy,the flywheel ring is not good. i suppose dropping the tranny (automatic) is the best way to accomplish the flywheel ring replacement. Regards
