No crank problem

[FW2010]

Hello all, I have a '77 model A-4, worked beautifully (relatively speaking) last summer but toward the end of the season began having starter problems. When hitting the key, the engine would initially "clunk" once or twice, then start right up. The engine was winterized, and just last week I went to bring it out of its winter slumber, hooked everything up, hit the key and got the same clunk. After trying for a while, it became clear that it was not going to attempt to start.

I've confirmed that I have 13 volts on the starting battery, there is power to the starter and the connections are clean. My question is, does this sound like a corroded internal connection somewhere in the starter, and is this something that I can disassemble and repair on board? I am able to turn the engine over by hand, so can confirm it is not locked up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Baltimore Sailor]

Probably the solenoid not throwing out like it should.

Have you whacked it with something yet? That's what I have to do to my garden tractor.

[FW2010]

Yep- that was one of the first things I tried- no luck.

[Baltimore Sailor]

Well, that probably means it's dead.

Find an automotive electrical shop in your area and take the starter in for an evaluation. They'll be able to tell you if it can be fixed or needs replacing.

Don't go to a chain auto store, though. Find a small, local shop in your yellow pages under "Alternators & Generators-Automotive." That's what I did for my alternator and got a rebuild and upgrade to 55 amps for under a hundred dollars. I laid it on the counter and the old-timers eyeballed it for a second and asked "Tractor motor?" I told 'em they were close, and what it was, and then we talked about it for a good 15 or 20 minutes and I had it back within a week or so.

Makes you feel good to give a shop like that some business, not that this one looked like they were having any problems along that line -- their shelves were crowded with rebuilt alternators and starters waiting for pickup.

Good luck with yours!

[FW2010]

Thanks for your replies. I will pull it off and have it checked out.

[Kelly]

You might be interested in this thread, depending on how "involved" you want to get. You'll see that the symptoms are identical and the solution involves repairing worn contacts. It's not too difficult in retrospect.

Good luck,
Kelly