wwjessedo

I'm having an odd problem. I just stuffed a 13B into my '81 rx7. When I tried to start it all I heard was a winding sound. The starter for the 13B has a larger gear then the one from the 12A so I put the bigger one in. But I still get the winding, I took the starter out and noticed that whenever it spins the gear doesn't pop out. The starter worked fine before I pulled it. The electrical is a mess and I was wondering if that might be the problem. Any input would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks,
Jesse

hanman

Sounds like the starter solenoid is not working.
hanman

wwjessedo

Why would the solinoid just crap out all of a sudden? Perhaps I should mention that I use the screwdriver across the solinoid method of starting my car.

Thanks,
Jesse

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

Bendix is bad, get it rebuilt...

wwjessedo

How do I do that? Bendix? I still don't understand how I could have two starters and both of them went bad at the same time.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

Oh dunno man, have you looked at it while off the car to see if it was extending the gear outward, when you apply power to it?

**** you already said that , sorry.. I know that a 85 12A starter will work on an 88 vert NA and vice versa. So I dont see why its not working?

Pele

iTrader: (28)

We had a problem in the shop that sounded like the solenoid was not pushing the gear outwards. What it really was, was the ring gear had come detetched from the flywheel. Also the clutch was destroyed, so push starting the car wasn't working. The lining was seperated fromt eh metal part of the clutch disc. I felt really stupid for trying to push the car across the parking lot with two flat tires, wondering why the car didn't even slow down when I dropped the clutch.

Yes.. that was one SERIOUSLY fucked up car.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem on a comparable Bendix type starter, like Mazda's. I sent it up to main, YES MAINE!, and had it rebuilt. They replaced the bendix gear and the solenoid and rewound it, only because the magnets cracked and it really tore threw the wiring. However, I would do what the other guys suggested - check to see if the Bendix gear is shooting out. If not, check the solenoid. It shouldn't be that expensive to fix.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

To test your starter, you'll need a good sized battery charger. (Not a little dinky 2 amp jobber. I even feel nervous doing this on my 10 Amper, although it does the job. I need a charger/starter like the shop has with a 45-200 Amp output.)

If ya don't have a good charger (What?!? A 10 Amp charger costs less than $100 at Pep Boys.) Jumper cables and your car's battery will work, just be caeful not to short it out.

Hook the negative lead up to the bracket. Lay the starter on the ground with the solenoid up so you can hit the terminals with the positive connection. Alternately, you can put the starter in a vice. Just make sure that the starter won't move around. Remember, its a very strong motor, strong enough to crank the engine with compression at over 250 RPM or even move the whole car.

On the back of the starter solenoid, there are three conections. Two are large threaded studs. One is a small connector. One large one has wire going from it into the body of the motor. Do not deal with this one. Connect the positive connection to the empty large stud AND the small connector. Positive on the small connector engages the bendix which moves the gear forward, it also engages the relay that connects the two large studs together, allowing the voltage to go into the motor.

The gear should move forward and spin.

Keaponlaffen

I had a similar problem as what's described, and it turned out to just be me (in my state of excitement) having forgotten to connect the small wire that engages the bendix.

Moral of the story? Check all connections, and then check them twice (before you try to start 'er up)

Jeff

Felix Wankel

Exactly what are you jumping with the screwdriver? You have to get all three terminals for it to pop out and spin.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

No ya dont... Only the Positive to the small terminal... Remember the solenoid does two jobs.. It moves the gear out AND bridges the two large connectors... So only if the solenoid is bad do you have to hit the last large connector.

wwjessedo

I would bet my life that the really small connector isn't hooked up to the positive terminal. It doesn't make sense that I would have two perfectly good starters and they would just crap out. I'm so confident that's the problem I'm getting really excited. Thanks alot guys!

Jesse