About three weeks ago my starter began to crap out -- not all the time, but now and then. In the beginning I'd hit the starter switch and the starter acted like the battery was low -- dragged (both hot and cold). Finally, it began to occasionally do nothing, just a "click" when I tried to start -- hit it again, and it might start (or might not).

I checked the voltage to the starter -- it was good. I checked the voltage to the ignition wire -- it was good. I took the starter off -- even sitting on the bench, with 12v run directly to the starter terminal the starter would not turn (however, the solenoid did still work, and passed power).

I took this solenoid off and put it on a "know good" starter which I had. It worked fine. I put it on the Raider and have hand no problems -- until yesterday.

On the way home from work it began to sound "weak" -- just like last time. This morning it would not start - "click".

I hit it a few times and it finally cranked and started, but the starter sounded really weak -- like the battery was almost dead (this has been checked, charging system and battery are fine & jump starting made absolutely no difference).

What do you think? Another starter just went out by chance? I have some problem somewhere that is causing this? Do I just bite the bullet and buy a new starter?

I need learned opinions!!!!

Any help most appreciated -- this is a real pain to replace, and I don't want to make a habit of this!

Terry

BTW - I do have an oil leak high on the engine on the drivers side, the starter is wet with oil. This couldn't somehow be causing this, could it???????

Yes, that could do it. But first, I would check your battery connections. I've had loose connections do the same thing on mine and had al kinds of trouble finding it, and I'm a mechanic.

Take a close look at the terminal end on the battery cable itself. Sometimes the bolts on top can work themselves loose even though the terminal is tight to the battery.

I checked and cleaned all battery connections, and starter connections. I even ran a heavy cable from the battery to the starter, bypassing the solenoid and ignition system -- still nothing. Voltage was good at the starter (both poles, when the ignition was turned).

Could the oil soak have anything to do with the starter dying???

The observation that with a known good solenoid switch the starter works sometimes and sometimes does not, suggests that the starter brushes are worn out or gunked up. Remove the starter and take it to an auto electric shop for a rebuild - or swap it for a good one at a parts store:

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Frank

The oil soaking is your likely culprit. In order to generate the EMF to drive the starter winding, the power to overcome the resistance caused by the oil is great. Electrical parts like starters, generators and alternators like to be dry. Keep a fire extinguisher handy until you change the starter AND fix the oil leak. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

You checked the positive cable.

Do the same with the negative (earth).
Run that cable directly from the battery negative to the starter mounting bolt.

I ran a new ground from the engine block to the frame, and checked/cleaned the cable from the frame to the battery. I did not, however, try running a lead from the ground to the starter mounting bolt.

Sounds like I need to fix the oil leak, check the ground and mount a new starter -- I guess the old one is beyond hope.

Terry

Doesn't sound like the oil leak could be in a really bad place; I'd be looking at the valve cover gasket and/or the plug in the back of the cylinder head. If you rule those out, could it possibly be coolant that is dragging some oil residue with it? Then check the Mikuni's small coolant line that heats the carb base (looks like a vacuum line), the heater hoses on the back of the engine and the intake manifold gasket. Keep the engine clean so it will be easier to detect leaks.

I have had big problems with starters. Once, I replaced mine with a rebuilt, lifetime warrantied unit and still had the same problems, so I thought the problem was elsewhere. It was right back to the starter again. Once I got another rebuilt/warrantied unit, all was well for a few more years - - just replaced it again this month after five full years (the last year, I had to occasionally smack it with a long wooden pole I carry), and the cost was once again nothing.

I am pretty good at removing and replacing the starter on the 2.6, as long as the bolts aren't too tight (like last time; Mighty Hercules put them in).

John B.

I'm not losing any coolant, so I doubt that's it. I think you're likely right that the leak is the valve cover/fuel pump or distributor. It seems to be up around the front of the engine.

Finding time to do stuff like this is really hard -- this is my daily dirver and taking it off the road is near impossible.

Opinions on which one to buy:

O'reilly: Lifetime warranty - $69.99 plus $30 core - in stock (Ultima brand remanufactured)

Autozone: Lifetime warranty - $69.99 plus $30 core - in stock (Duralast brand remanufactured)

Advance: lifetime warranty - $97.99 plus $27 core - in stock (Autolite brand remanufactured)

Dealer: one year warranty - $257.55 plus $20 core - must be ordered (remanufactured)

Junkyard: 90 day warrenty - $50 -- what you see is what you get....

No experience with any of these -- but dealer is pretty much out of the running!!!! Opinions????