96 force 50 weak starter...options *UPDATE*

[smoedog]

Trying to get my motor going and having issues with the starter. I might get 1-2 compression strokes before it stalls out. ALl contacts are clean. Even ran jumper cables straight to starter and still nothing.

Has anyone had success tearing one apart and sanding down the brushes and comm or should I just spring the 60 bux for a new one?

 

[Jiggz]

I've successfully rebuilt my starter about two years ago and went as far as changing the brushes. You should try it first especially if the existing starter is still the OEM one. Another thing to check is the negative cable connections to the engine block. Visually checking this is not enough. You need to dismount it, clean it and also the mating surface. I apply thin film of dielectric grease to keep it clean on both mating surfaces and the outside. And finally use a split lock washer to prevent it from getting loose.

 

[CumminsChris]

The starters are super simple, just mark the housing before you take it apart so you have a reference for reassembly. Clean it up good inside with electrical parts cleaner, buff the contact surfaces and change the brushes if you need to. Easy to do, and definitely worth trying before you buy a new one. I cleaned my old one up, and it helped.

It might take 2 people with thin pieces of wood/metal or a DIY tool to hold the brushes down while you reassemble, but it's not that hard. They just tend to pop all the way out of their slots and have to be held in place while you lower the housing.

 

[jerryjerry05]

I use 2 pieces of electrical tape to hold the brushes in place.
Before you do that.
Do a compression test.
These motors if 1 cyl. is low on compression, sometimes they have a hard time turning over.
Make sure that the battery is good. A dead cell will show 12v but have no power.
Make sure the connections are tight.

 

[smoedog]

Pulled it apart, Brushes had plenty of life in them with plenty of tension on the springs. The Comm what pretty caked up and burnt up, Cleaned it up with some sand paper and put it all back together. I'll put it back together this weekend and let you guys know whats up.

 

[Jiggz]

Great. Let's hear it on your next post.

 

[smoedog]

Well still no go. Worked fine at the end of last season and now nothing. Really thought by the amount of carbon on the comm that was the issue.

After cleaning it back up it made no difference. I even tried jumping the starter directly and it could get maybe 1 to 2 compression strokes before stalling and taking about 3-5 seconds to get over the next compression stroke.

I guess its time for a new starter.

 

[CumminsChris]

Yup, sounds like new starter time all right!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Before you buy.
Remove the plugs and do a compression test.
No reason to throw away $$$ unless your rich????

 

[mla2ofus]

The starter on my '96 90HP Force was doing the same thing about 6 yrs ago. Took it apart, cleaned everything and put a little grease in the shaft bushings and it fixed the problem. Haven't had any trouble since.
Mike

 

[smoedog]

JerryJerry05, could you please explain your reasoning. You ended up being correct. Top cylinder busted a ring landing. If I pull the top spark plug, she starts up and runs one 1 cylinder like a champ. With both plugs in, she only gets 2 rotations before she stalls, and that is with a new 60 dollar starter lol.

 

[Jiggz]

Because a broken ring drags thus adding strain to the starter.