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Starter solenoid
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poptop tom
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:19 am    Post subject: Starter solenoid Reply with quote

My rebuilt starter on my 76 westy occasionally doesn't engage and start the engine on the first couple of tries. It will just whir. This is with a cold engine.

New, fully charged battery. New ground straps and positive battery lead.

I've read that sometimes the grease inside the solenoid will get sticky, or gummed up.

I plan to remove my starter this weekend, and look into cleaning the inside of the solenoid and relubing it.
Are there any special directions for doing this? What type of grease to use? Etc.

Of course, I did search and read a ton topics on starters and solenoids, but never anything related to the maintenance of the solenoid.

Thanks!
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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have already been here I would gather.....

http://www.hallvw.clara.net/starter.htm
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poptop tom
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Randy in Maine wrote:
You have already been here I would gather.....

http://www.hallvw.clara.net/starter.htm


Yes, Randy. I believe I saw that site when you posted it for someone else with starter issues. Very helpful. But it doesn't really mention the solenoid.
I more interested in tearing it apart, cleaning, and regreasing.
WD-40 seems to be the stuff to use for cleaning things up. But what needs lubed inside there? And waht type of lube should be used? And where specifically.
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kreemoweet
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Rebuilt" starters from the chain auto-parts places are just another bad joke.
I don't think there is any grease or other lube inside the solenoid - just
opening it up is a rather involved process involving decent soldering
skills. Most solenoid-related problems are the result of burned-up contacts.
Note that the Bentley service manual sez: "The drive mechanism must not
be greased or it may jam in cold weather." Only the bushings are to be
lubed.
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GusC2it
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In your first post you said that"it just whirs". That means that the solinoid IS working because the solinoid completes the circuit to the motor. However, it also engages the starter gear with the flywheel. Thats your problem. You either have a worn flywheel gear, or, the pivot shaft for the sliding gear in the starter is worn, keeping the gear from sliding all the way into engagement with the flywheel gear. Pull the pivot shaft out and inspect. Look for a worn spot. Often, just rotating it will solve the problem!
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Last edited by GusC2it on Fri May 06, 2011 6:30 am; edited 1 time in total
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SGKent Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the solenoid isn't the problem. As stated you can have missing teeth on the flywheel or a bad drive. I would start by pulling the starter the next time it happens and look at the teeth on the flywheel where it was engaged through the spot it mounts. Use a mirror if you have to. If they are Ok replace the starter.
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poptop tom
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PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll pull the starter soon. The flywheel was new when installed with the rebuild last fall. And the starter rebuilt and tested. Nothing was done to the solenoid at that time. A new starter bushing was also installed during the build.

It made the funky noises upon first fire-up, when Colin helped me with the 20 minute break-in. And has been consistent.
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