starter problem

[snowtrac nome]

My starter started acting up. It really acted and sounded like the old dodge starters on the 880's when the bendix started to fail. I inspected the flywheel its not cherry but not all that bad. Just a little wear so I ordered up a new starter drive. I found the ends of the pinion gear chewed off. so I replaced it and things worked fine a few weeks and now that it is - 15 the problem is back. I have a good idea what the pinion gear is going to look like again. Any off the wall ideas why the starter drive isn't fully engaging the ring gear. the starter appears to be the oe starter with the thermo switch bypassed. cat and Allison haven't been any help seems cat supplied the engines with a bell housing only and Allison supplied the transmission only with no adaptor kit to mate the transmission to the engine. as the cat 12 tooth starter works in place of the oe. leese navill I would assume the adapter kit is a cat part number but cat cant look it up with out a serial number or a part number. At this point I think getting a ring gear isn't going to fix the problem any way the problem is in the starter someplace.

 

[Suprman]

I have replaced alot of the lmtv starters. The type with thermal protection is the older style I believe. I never had any luck repairing a starter I always replace them. I think
after so many years of use they just wear out. The original one is expensive there are some aftermarket ones out there now. Heavy part its going to be expensive to ship to AK.

 

[snowtrac nome]

it won't be cheap im likely going to pick one up at NC Cat next week when im in town. I cant understand what has worn out in my starter. Im thinking the bendix lever is bent between the bendix and solenoid

 

[74M35A2]

Post a few pics of what the starter looks like. Specifically, the mounting flange, and the solenoid location in accordance to this flange. I'll see if I can help you. Can't promise, but will try. I'm not familiar with this vehicle, but I am assuming it uses a Cat 3116 / 3126 type medium duty engine? Is this a 12v or 24v application? Sorry, I only really know M939a2 stuff.

You may want to roll the engine over 360 and check the ring gear in all locations. A 6 cylinder engine will generally come to rest in one of 3 different areas on the ring gear, so you should find 3 "worn" areas of the ring gear as you spin the engine over. You'll want to check for milling of the ring gear teeth, as this places metal between the teeth allowing the pinion to not engage full depth.

 

[Smike740]

I just bought new take off starter for $180 including shipping. Have seen them on the auction site recently for slightly more. Search for M0017703ME

 

[Suprman]

He is in Alaska it’s the shipping that kills it. Starter is over 70lbs so it can’t go USPS.

 

[74M35A2]

Gear reduction starters are 29lbs. If he can post some pics, I can make him one up and send it to him.

 

[319cssb]

Gear reduction starters are 29lbs. If he can post some pics, I can make him one up and send it to him.

there is a gear reduction starter for the LMTV?

Edit I see there is a 12v and a 24v starter that fits on the 3116, but two questions
a) will it fit behind the frame?
b) does it have the right teeth count?

 

[74M35A2]

There can be. I make them. Have not configured one for it yet. Need to see some pics of the mount and environment to configure solenoid position. Yes, 12v or 24v.

 

[319cssb]

There can be. I make them. Have not configured one for it yet. Need to see some pics of the mount and environment to configure solenoid position. Yes, 12v or 24v.

do you have the dimensions of this starter? I can tell you then if it would fit or not. I for one would be interested in a gear reduction starter. With the contingency that the planetary gear are of good quality and will last longer than the universe.

 

[74M35A2]

Dimensionally, they are 1/3 smaller, so it fits in the envelop space with ease. The conquest is clocking of the solenoid so it does not hit the block or frame.

 

[319cssb]

Dimensionally, they are 1/3 smaller, so it fits in the envelop space with ease. The conquest is clocking of the solenoid so it does not hit the block or frame.

Yes, true. maybe I'll look for some schematics , print them out and match to the bolt holes. that should show me the position of the solenoid.

 

[wheelspinner]

Could there be a lubricant in the mechanism that doesn’t like that Alaskan cold?

 

[Suprman]

A lot of these starters have been in service for many years and I think it is a combination of components that just wear out over the course of 15-20 years. I’m sure the fridgid cold doesn’t help. If the starter had a grease fitting or something like that, to allow for moving parts to be kept well lubricated then I think it would last a lot longer.

 

[Smike740]

Here are the OE starter drawings.

 

[319cssb]

Here are the OE starter drawings.

We were talking about the dimensions of the gear reduction starter. I have a OE starter in my office, I could meassure if needed.

 

[snowtrac nome]

Post a few pics of what the starter looks like. Specifically, the mounting flange, and the solenoid location in accordance to this flange. I'll see if I can help you. Can't promise, but will try. I'm not familiar with this vehicle, but I am assuming it uses a Cat 3116 / 3126 type medium duty engine? Is this a 12v or 24v application? Sorry, I only really know M939a2 stuff.

You may want to roll the engine over 360 and check the ring gear in all locations. A 6 cylinder engine will generally come to rest in one of 3 different areas on the ring gear, so you should find 3 "worn" areas of the ring gear as you spin the engine over. You'll want to check for milling of the ring gear teeth, as this places metal between the teeth allowing the pinion to not engage full depth.

been out of the loop for a while as I have been down with the flue the ring gear does show a little wear likely from the drive kicking out the drive seems to only be contacting about 1/16 inch of the ring gear and the drives I remove seem to have about an 1/8 inch eaten off the end of them. the starter is 24 volt and a gear reduction model does intrest me to.

 

[74M35A2]

I understand the drawing. Let me look at the nose cones available to me and see what I can come up with. Our starters are rated down to -40. Hold tight, I’ll respond in a day or so.

You’ll have to either unplug or jumper the thermal connector on the vehicle harness side.

 

[scottmandu]

There is nothing in that starter that can't be repaired, replaced or rebuilt. I've had great success with local rebuilders working on those starters. A rebuild runs about $200-$400 depending on the condition of the unit.

 

[DiverDarrell]

The problem is the rebuilders are not in Nome Alaska, the turn around time would be months and cost for air freight is crazy. That and he needs this truck for work. I believe his plan would be to aquire one that works and have this one rebuilt and on the shelf for next time.