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MEP-002a Starter trys to engage but wont turn over

w5ood

Member
63
19
8
Location
Houston / Texas
I just put in two new batteries. They are reading about 12.4v each. When I crank the gen. The starter tries to engage but it wont catch the fly wheel. It clicks like a low battery but every now and then it seems to catch and it spins the fly wheels just a small bit and make a loud clank noise. I pulled the starter and it engages the bendex just fine it looks like it should start. I see no teeth broken and I can move the fly wheel with a screw driver with little effort. It has sat outside for about a year but it was running fine when last used. Any ideas on what I should check? I am at a loss. I looked through the TMs but it doesnt seem to describe this issue. I have starter style I.
 

DieselAddict

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Efland, NC
Might be stuck brushes In the starter or a bad starter solenoid. Does the starter spin if you connedpct it directly to battery power?
 

w5ood

Member
63
19
8
Location
Houston / Texas
Might be stuck brushes In the starter or a bad starter solenoid. Does the starter spin if you connedpct it directly to battery power?
When I removed the starter I left it wired up. If I start it it seems to work fine. The gear moves out on the bendix and spins very fast. Its one of the reasons im so confused. I thought it might not be getting enough juice so I cleaned all the ground terminals and even added the slave port and plugged in my m1009 but I get the same results. Its like the starter works but its not strong enough to turn the flywheel. Is that possible? Can a starter work but still be bad?
 
Last edited:

Chainbreaker

Well-known member
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Location
Oregon
Another thing to check... Is the crossover battery strap good between batteries and making good solid contact to battery terminals? Also, if you have a local Automotive/Electrical starter repair shop maybe they can load test the starter to determine if good. Might be the quickest way to determine if its the starter itself.
 
Last edited:

flydude92

Member
117
9
18
Location
Waterville, Ohio
Its like the starter works but its not strong enough to turn the flywheel. Is that possible? Can a starter work but still be bad?
Starters do go bad.
I've replaced a few over the years that acted like I had a bad/weak battery.
They will draw a lot of current as they begin to fail.
 

w5ood

Member
63
19
8
Location
Houston / Texas
I checked the starter plunger and it does move freely. So I rotated the flywheel while pushing the plunger in. It eventually seated into the flywheel and didnt come out. So I cranked it and it fired right up and the plunged then pulled back on the starter. So what is the causes of this? Do I need to lubricate the plunger? If so what do you recommend.
 
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