TOPIC: Strange Starter Problem Solved (finally)

Had a strange problem with my starter and thought maybe others could benefit from all my trials and tribulations.

I have a 1960 Merc 400, but this could probably apply to anyone.

The symtom I had was like a bad or old battery, but the battery is brand new. I was having a little trouble starting (non related), but it would turn over fine for 3-5 tries of 3-4 seconds each, and then the cranking would slow down and it would stop turning over, and all I would get is the solenoid click - like a low battery.

I took my battery back thinking it was bad, but it checked out OK. I got it fully recharged and went through the same scenario again - it ran down very quickly and stopped spinning the engine. However this time no amount of charging would get the starter to turn over. The solenoid click was the only response.

My next assumption was that there was a bad connection somewhere, probably on the ground side. I went through all the connections and cleaned them up, and still the same thing - just the solenoid click.

My next test was to jump directly to the starter with a set of jumper cables going to my running car. I figured this would rule out the battery and the wiring once and for all. (Probably should have done this before cleaning connections in hindsight.) Nothing. The starter didn't budge so I assumed it was bad.

I found a new starter online, but wanted to stay with the OEM (Delco Remy) starter if possible, so I went to a local Automotive Electric specialist in my neighborhood. They popped the starter open and found that one of the brushes had a bad connection where the power lead attaches. They put on a new brush for $20 bucks.

Put it all back together and it spins good and starts good now.

So the lesson learned is that it is not always what you first suspect, or even your second guess.

My other take away is one of the reasons for buying an older boat to begin with. They are easier to work on and many parts can be fixed vs. thrown away and replaced with new.

Hope someone finds this useful.

Gadabout

Thanks for posting this one.
Troubles and solutions are always beneficial to someone.

Doc F

Great post Gadabout, thanks for sharing. Truth be told the old Delco and Prestolite starters are not that complicated, basic hand tools and a parts breakdown could get many of them going again with a little basic knowledge. Parts are more readily available than most folks realize. Good on ya for going through the steps, always a good idea to keep the electrical system in good operating order.

great info..thanks, ron

Had a similar problem with an Opel Kadette I owned in the 70's. I got stuck in January in Indiana at a motel in the middle of nowhere late on a Saturday. Pulled the starter. Took it apart. It needed new brushes. Where to find new brushes on a Saturday night in the middle of nowhere? I took the D cells out of my flashlight, tore them apart and extracted the carbon cores, carved them down to square shape and size of the brushes. Stuck them back in, put it all together and installed the starter (It's damn cold in Indiana in January) It worked!

Can't do that with starters today.

Ike, Haven't heard anyone mention an Opel Kadette in a while. My brother had one when we were kids (16)!

Great job getting it going again. Nothing like necessity to motivate you to get something done that at first you don't think is possible.

I bet you were damn glad to get back on the road and get home.

Sorry. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was a big Opel Fan. I had the Kadette and a 1971 Manta and 1973 Manta. Great cars.

If you know how things work you can fix almost anything mechanical. When it becomes electronic, computerized and all sealed up it gets a little harder.

Well,...Since the thread has already been high-jacked,...

Here is a pix of my '70 Opel.



"Keeping Mercs alive since 1965"
doc

Wow, that brings back some memories. It's even the same color as the one my brother had.

The 73 Manta I had was that color. The Kadette and the 71 Manta were both an eggshell blue. Somewhere I have better photos of them than these but I couldn't find them.