Starter woes

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by moses2

Yes, the battery tender which indicates a full charge by a green light. Trying to start it at that moment will spin the gear, but not throw the bendix. And yes, 3 starters. I replaced the original starter for this reason, and then got about 2 years out of that. These last two have been just a couple months. It's intermittent. I can be running the tractor for a period of time, shut it off for a few minutes and go to start it and have the same thing happen. Most times a couple clicks with the key and it starts. Turns the engine over like it should. How would I check for a short?

You need a meter. Test wires for resistance. Before doing that a visual inspection might be best. Follow wires and look for wear marks or cuts from abrasion. If the original was replaced for same reason stands to reason that the issue got worse and is now at the point that a new starter will have issue immediately.

[moses2]

Got it. Keep it dry. How else can I verify the power issue? I have over 12v at the battery, and 13.75 when running. Thanks all for your help.

[darkminion_17]

Is the only reason for the tender, is so you can get full voltage from the battery to kick the bendix to start?
Otherwise is the battery dead if you left it without the tender? If so, then you have another issue, if not I would try a different starter company.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by moses2

Got it. Keep it dry. How else can I verify the power issue? I have over 12v at the battery, and 13.75 when running. Thanks all for your help.

Im thinking its not a battery fault. I would more likely suspect the connection between battery and starter. Ok.. a simple way to get some insight. Take the battery lead off the starter. Use one leg of a pair of jumper cables and run from positive side of battery to the starter post. See if the same issue persists.

[J-Mech]

Lube the bendix shaft. This is a common issue. They get dry and the bendix sticks. I use oil, with no issues, but there are a bunch if guys that think this somehow will cause an issue. Been doing it for 30 years to all these style starters and only ever replaced one. Pretty sure it works. Use dry graphite lube if oil scares you. This isn't an issue that needs 15 posts to solve. Lube it and be happy.

[moses2]

I had used the tender just to verify the battery had optimum charge. It didn't make any difference when I tried to start it. Still same gear spinning in the retracted position. I'll measure the charge again this afternoon, as I was running it Sunday and it has not been on the tender. I will also take the battery lead off the starter, and try a jumper cable in it's place. The cable looks in good shape. I've always kept the tractor indoors. The place I've been getting the starters from have no problem sending another starter, but as has been said,3 starters with the same problem? First thing I'll do when I get home is try to start it before I do anything. What about the relay idea mentioned above?

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Lube the bendix shaft. This is a common issue. They get dry and the bendix sticks. I use oil, with no issues, but there are a bunch if guys that think this somehow will cause an issue. Been doing it for 30 years to all these style starters and only ever replaced one. Pretty sure it works. Use dry graphite lube if oil scares you. This isn't an issue that needs 15 posts to solve. Lube it and be happy.

Ill take one from Jon's book here. Do you lube the bendix in your trucks starter?

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by cooperino

Ill take one from Jon's book here. Do you lube the bendix in your trucks starter?

My truck doesn't use a screw style, spin kick bendix. Neither will his. They don't need lubricated.

My book is thick. Better read the cleft notes.

[moses2]

J-Mech, that's funny.
Ok, I'll try the dry lube as well. Post again later, with what I find out. Thanks to you all.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by moses2

J-Mech, that's funny.
Ok, I'll try the dry lube as well. Post again later, with what I find out. Thanks to you all.

You will be happy here shortly. It's better if you use a screwdriver to push the bendix gear out a bit to get the lube on the screw. It will fix it. If it doesn't, you likely need a new battery. A little oil is a cheap thing to try first though.