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poptop tom Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2004 Posts: 1607 Location: The Hoosier State
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:19 am Post subject: Starter solenoid |
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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! _________________ '76 Deluxe Campmobile |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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poptop tom Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2004 Posts: 1607 Location: The Hoosier State
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ '76 Deluxe Campmobile |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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"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. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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GusC2it Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 1376 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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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!
_________________ 75 type 2 http://gusc1.tripod.com/1975vwtype2
Old vices have now been upgraded to bad habits.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-Wild-Weekend-2011-St-Pete-Fl/197064760336111
Last edited by GusC2it on Fri May 06, 2011 6:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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poptop tom Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2004 Posts: 1607 Location: The Hoosier State
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:49 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ '76 Deluxe Campmobile |
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