Thanks everyone for the feedback and ideas. I'd be lost without you! Wow if feels like I've been doing push-ups for 24 hours, getting in and out of a small space. Unfortunately the problem is not resolved yet..
In summary, a new solenoid is installed, but the starter just spins (loud whirring) but doesn't crank the engine. I removed the starter, and rotated the motor to check the flywheel, and also checked for missing teeth on the pinion. All teeth are there, none missing. The pinion gear does move when activated. When I press the start button, the pinion moves away from the starter, and spins. Sometimes there is a spark and the smell of something burned, I assume this is from the solenoid contacting. Eric, I have attempted the suggestions you have below. The starter is too awkward to get to, one hand only! So I suspended it with two lanyards to keep it from dropping into the bilge. Measurements are difficult and best-effort only, not precise. I measured the distance from the housing to the flywheel, and the distance from the housing to the max throw of the pinion, and they are about the same, about 1 3/8 inches. I don't know if this is adjustable, or how. The starter is now re-installed, unfortunately it just whirs instead of cranking. The bottom nut (one of three) that holds the starter to the engine housing was missing, I'll have to find a replacement in town. Since it's the bottom one, and the other two are tight, and this is a heavy unit, I assume the starter is sufficiently attached and aligned to operate correctly. It does not move when activated. Anyway, all teeth are there, none missing. What could be causing the starter not to crank the flywheel? -Neal. Eric T. wrote: > *Neal,* > * Before you spend a lot of money, remove the starter.* > * With 1 bolt attach it to the engine in an easily accessible place > making sure the wires/connectors are not touching anything and the > bendix is free to move.* > * Now press the start button while watching the gear. Does it move?* > *I don't mean spin, although it needs to do that too. I mean away from > the starter motor, or even toward it.* > * If it moves and spins there is no reason to buy a new starter. * > *You need to very carefully measure the distance from the point on the > engine where the starter mounts to the edge of the ring gear on the > flywheel.* > * Then carefully measure the distance from the face of the starter motor > to the furthest the pinion gear extends when you press the start > button.. The pinion gear needs to move more (but not much) than the > distance you need to get to the edge of the ring gear.* > > *There are ways to either adjust the 'throw' of the bendix, or rebuild > the bendix if it is just too worn.* > ** > * Only after you take the starter and the measurements you have made to > an automotive starter repair shop should you consider buying another > starter when you are so close to fixing the problem already!* > ** > *Eric Thompson > S/V Procrastinator > South San Francisco > [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > * > > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1601 - Release Date: 8/8/2008 9:02 > AM > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Liveaboard mailing list > [email protected] > To adjust your membership settings over the web > http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard > To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ > > To search the archives > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > The Mailman Users Guide can be found here > http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
