| Author |
Message |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 8:57 am: | |
Hey Mark, Don't leave us hanging here,was it the armature, windings, bendix? If you know it would give us a better idea what caused the failure. Anyway we're glad you're on the road again. MAGOO |
Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 7:18 am: | |
It's fixed. The starter was the problem. I had it rebuilt locally for $225. Removal and installation was no problem. Thanks for your help. Mark |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 10:54 pm: | |
Hey Mark, That makes sense, if the armature had a flat [dead] spot in it, it would move when you rocked the car in gear. Just might be the problem. You're right, I'm sure you knew better than not to take proper safety precautions, but it was just one of those things I had to address for safety sake. Let me know what you find. GOOD LUCK, MAGOO |
Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 10:44 pm: | |
Magoo (Nader?), I was going to joke that I'd been hospitalized after tapping the starter only to have the damn thing fire up and run straight over my legs, but I'll resist.
After much anguish, I've pulled off the starter, which was actually really easy. I'm going to have it rebuilt locally and hope to solve my problem.
One more observation, I don't think its anything to do with a switch, as even on failing the bendix clicks in and out firmly. Whilst in its failing mode, I disconnected the smaller "start" wire, and lost the click of the bendix.
I'm hoping that the armature may have had a bad spot. Thanks again for your help. I'll let you know the outcome. Mark |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 7:39 pm: | |
Mark, did you check out your starting problem since we last exchanged comments. |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 4:23 pm: | |
Mark, my other name is Ralph Nader. Please don't get under that car and tap the starter with your wife trying to start it. To many things can go wrong. You should put the car up on a lift or on jack stands. Or tap it then get out from under the car and try the ignition. We don't need any horror stories here on the chat line. Safety first. REGARDS, MAGOO |
Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 3:07 pm: | |
Thank you everyone. If I can get it to fail, I'll definitely try tapping the starter while my wife tries to start it. I know it seems like it is a mechanical issue because of the fact that it "fixes" itself by rocking the car, or pumping the clutch, but I never detect any sort of mechanical movement from the bendix or starter during these fixes.
It really feels like there's some kind of an intermittent open electrical circuit that's somehow related to the clutch or tranny???
Still searching. Thanks again for any help. Mark |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 1:35 pm: | |
Mark, your statement "that it will always start after fiddling with the clutch or rocking the car back and forth in gear," doesn't sound electrical because the solenoid has no reason to correct itself out of its existing state of not functioning. It does sound like you physically move something to correct the problem. Anyway it looks like you are going to have to remove the starter and bench test it to be sure. P.S. Have you tried tapping the starter when this problem occurs? |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 12:55 pm: | |
Very true Bret, if one thing could fail on a starter, it's the solenoid. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 10:18 am: | |
Is it something as simple as the start solenoid? It's a stretch, but it could be just getting stuck. I had a similar problem with my Jeep, and a starter is a starter so there's a chance that it's the same. |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 9:36 am: | |
The one thing that drew me to that conclusion was rocking it in gear. I don't see how that could affect a neutral safety switch or electrical connection. MAGOO |
Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 7:41 am: | |
No, I definitely can't hear a "click" when rocking the car at all. The only "clicks" occur when switching to and from "start". I'm still hoping there's some relatively harmless electrical solution??? Thanks Mark |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2001 - 11:24 pm: | |
Mark , I hope I'm wrong but if you are rocking the car in gear and you hear a click, that sounds like the starter bendix is locking up with the flywheel and releasing as you rock the car back and forth. It could be only the bendix,more than likely, or possible tooth on the flywheel. If it walks like a duck? Good Luck, MAGOO |
Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2001 - 10:42 pm: | |
My 348 has been intermittently failing to start. I was ready to pull the starter and have it rebuilt, but read that there may be a problem with the Italian "mystery" grease. Now I'm more confused than ever.
One time in five or so, the starter fails to turn at all. There's a click when moving the key to start, and another on releasing from start. But while in the start position, total silence. Now, the interesting thing is that it will ALWAYS start after fiddling with the clutch or rocking the car back and forth while in gear. It feels like there may be a faulty electrical switch in the clutch mechanism. Is that possible?
I don't think(?) the starter bendix is stuck in the flywheel when it does this. After the click, there is no effort at all from starter motor, then sometimes if you depress and release the clutch, it will suddenly spin up and start perfectly. Other times I have to rock the car while in gear then noodle with the clutch, then it starts normally? Sorry for the long narrative. Any adivce appreciated.
The mechanic that checked the car said there was no sign of leaking AGIP "mystery" grease??
THANKS Mark McKenzie |
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