65 starter
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: MI
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65 starter
The starter in one of my ‘65s just failed to stop spinning when I released the key. I had to disconnect the battery to stop it. Is this a solenoid problem?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: MI
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That’s kinda what I thought. Looks like I’ll have to pull it. Is there a reputable rebuilder out there these days?
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Melting Slicks
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From: MI
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Battery is fairly new and was at 95% after it cranked a while, so probably ok. I’m charging it now and will try again when full, but with someone manning the battery knife switch to shut it off if it sticks again.
I’m gonna pull the starter anyway, but hope to get it started, so I can drive it onto the lift.
I’m gonna pull the starter anyway, but hope to get it started, so I can drive it onto the lift.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Australia
If you’re capable of pulling the starter off, you’re capable of swapping out the solenoid.
Any FLAPS should have one for around $30
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: MI
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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No problem changing it. Installed many starters, but, I haven’t actually changed only the solenoid since about 1969, so maybe a bit rusty…I’ll play with an old starter I’ve got sitting around for a few minutes to get a feel for the swap. Thanks.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Richardson Texas
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From: Pachuta, MS
When you get the starter out, you should make sure that current is switched on and off at the 'S' terminal when the ignition is moved to the start position because the solenoid may be doing exactly what it's told to be doing.
Instructor
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From: Pachuta, MS
I have a vague memory of a TSB for this issue in the 60's and the 1st fix was a different solenoid plunger spring and later a new solenoid was available. The problem showed up after the engine was warm and the starter would not disengage. Maybe someone more skilled at searches than I can find it. It was more widespread than just corvettes.
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From: Livonia, Mi.
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Melting Slicks
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(This is an original starter that was rebuilt by Chevy Cool a couple of years ago, but based on the fact that it only survived thirty or forty starts, I’m not sending it back there.)
P.S. How’s your engine coming?
Mike
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From: Livonia, Mi.
Hey Mike,
Werner still has the car. All the cosmetic work has been finished. The Trans has been rebuilt but the mechanic that is doing the engine hasn't finished up. Last I talked to him he took my starter to Hans for a rebuild. Once he gets all the add on stuff, carb, fuel line, fuel and water pump, etc from Werner he is going to break it in on his dyno. He's going to give me a call so I can be there when he does it. Should be within the week...........I hope. By this time last year, I already put on a couple thousand miles.
Hans has done a lot of rebuilds for me over the years and has been around longer than I can remember. It's a stand-up business.
Mike.
Werner still has the car. All the cosmetic work has been finished. The Trans has been rebuilt but the mechanic that is doing the engine hasn't finished up. Last I talked to him he took my starter to Hans for a rebuild. Once he gets all the add on stuff, carb, fuel line, fuel and water pump, etc from Werner he is going to break it in on his dyno. He's going to give me a call so I can be there when he does it. Should be within the week...........I hope. By this time last year, I already put on a couple thousand miles.
Hans has done a lot of rebuilds for me over the years and has been around longer than I can remember. It's a stand-up business.
Mike.
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From: Really Central IL Illinois
You say it spins with the key OFF as well as ON and START. It could well be a bad Bendix drive stuck in the flywheel. Loosen the starter bolts and listen if the Bendix comes back. You can also tap the starter with a hammer which will sometime bring it back.
Also as stated above, the solenoid spring may be weak and not pushing the Bendix drive out of the flywheel.
Then, I would disconnect the purple and pink or black with pink stripe wires at the starter and measure the voltage on each with the key in the off position. If you have voltage, it is in the wires or the ignition switch. A visual inspection of the wires back to the ignition switch will identify any melted insulation which could be shorted.
If the wiring is good, you have a bad ignition switch which I understand the 066 switch used in 65 is known to fail.
Just some ideas.
Ron
Also as stated above, the solenoid spring may be weak and not pushing the Bendix drive out of the flywheel.
Then, I would disconnect the purple and pink or black with pink stripe wires at the starter and measure the voltage on each with the key in the off position. If you have voltage, it is in the wires or the ignition switch. A visual inspection of the wires back to the ignition switch will identify any melted insulation which could be shorted.
If the wiring is good, you have a bad ignition switch which I understand the 066 switch used in 65 is known to fail.
Just some ideas.
Ron
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Melting Slicks
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From: MI
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You say it spins with the key OFF as well as ON and START. It could well be a bad Bendix drive stuck in the flywheel. Loosen the starter bolts and listen if the Bendix comes back. You can also tap the starter with a hammer which will sometime bring it back.
Also as stated above, the solenoid spring may be weak and not pushing the Bendix drive out of the flywheel.
Then, I would disconnect the purple and pink or black with pink stripe wires at the starter and measure the voltage on each with the key in the off position. If you have voltage, it is in the wires or the ignition switch. A visual inspection of the wires back to the ignition switch will identify any melted insulation which could be shorted.
If the wiring is good, you have a bad ignition switch which I understand the 066 switch used in 65 is known to fail.
Just some ideas.
Ron
Also as stated above, the solenoid spring may be weak and not pushing the Bendix drive out of the flywheel.
Then, I would disconnect the purple and pink or black with pink stripe wires at the starter and measure the voltage on each with the key in the off position. If you have voltage, it is in the wires or the ignition switch. A visual inspection of the wires back to the ignition switch will identify any melted insulation which could be shorted.
If the wiring is good, you have a bad ignition switch which I understand the 066 switch used in 65 is known to fail.
Just some ideas.
Ron
Le Mans Master
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From: Really Central IL Illinois
You don't have to go under the car to test the wiring. Looking at the 65 schematic I have, the purple wire has a connector just above the distributor. If you disconnect it there, you can test for voltage coming from the ignition switch. Also, you can disconnect the pink (or black with pink stripe) at the + side of the coil and test for voltage with the key off to see if it has voltage, but if that wire to the R terminal is joined with the wire from the ballast resistor in the same connection lug, it will have to be disconnected at the solenoid or starter switch.
The purple wire to the S terminal activates the solenoid. The pink (or black with pink stripe) wire from the R terminal provides 12vdc to the coil during starter engagement. With the battery disconnected if you use your VOM multimeter to measure the OHMs between the wires at the + of the coil and the purple wire at the connector it should be infinite. If you get any reading, it is a short in the wiring to the starter or in the solenoid.
Maybe Jim or Jack or one of the gurus can verify these tests, as I am not infallible.
Ron
Beautiful Garage, wish I were not a junk saver and had the $$$$ to make mine shine.
The purple wire to the S terminal activates the solenoid. The pink (or black with pink stripe) wire from the R terminal provides 12vdc to the coil during starter engagement. With the battery disconnected if you use your VOM multimeter to measure the OHMs between the wires at the + of the coil and the purple wire at the connector it should be infinite. If you get any reading, it is a short in the wiring to the starter or in the solenoid.
Maybe Jim or Jack or one of the gurus can verify these tests, as I am not infallible.
Ron
Beautiful Garage, wish I were not a junk saver and had the $$$$ to make mine shine.
