Forums46
Topics544,377
Posts9,809,844
Members87,554
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
#8932409
10/09/23 08:43 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430 |
Had a problem with my truck that I've never seen before with any vehicle, and I've owned them since the 70's.
I could tell the battery was weak this morning when I tried to start it, also knowing it's a couple months past its warranty life. (I don't know how they do it, but vehicle batteries now seem to last until the day the warranty expires.) Anyway, I hit the starter again and the engine started but the engine sounded like the pinion gear on the starter was slightly resting on the flywheel. I put in a new battery and heard the same noise though not as loud for about a half second and then it stopped. Haven't heard it since.
Why would a weak battery voltage cause the pinion gear to do that? Weak solenoid that may soon fail or something sometimes seen with a weak battery?
TIA
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/09/23 08:45 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8932659
10/10/23 02:55 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430 |
For what it's worth, I spoke with a neighbor who teaches Auto Mechanics at a local community college. He told me it's not too uncommon for a weak battery to be strong enough to engage the pinion gear and start the vehicle, but not strong enough to release the two. The pinion gear will then rattle against the fly wheel. He also mentioned it does not indicate a pending failure of the starter solenoid or pinion gear. Not exactly sure of this last one but I hope he's correct.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/10/23 03:01 AM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8933217
10/10/23 11:26 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963 |
I have had weak/ poor battery and or connections which would throw starter gear to flywheel ring gear but would allow to slip engagement. A slow clicking sound. Seems to me it was GM products, but been while since owned aGM .
Seem to starter gear is on spring return. So, like you, I am sure of last statement.
But if the the clicking sound is rapid, my suspect would be a chipped ring gear on flywheel. A weak battery could agitate sympton.
Maybe this thread will get some traffic.
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Never trust a man that doesn't trust you.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Lazyjack]
#8933307
10/11/23 01:43 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,114
DukeCigars
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,114 |
But if the the clicking sound is rapid, my suspect would be a chipped ring gear on flywheel. A weak battery could agitate sympton.
If it’s factory parts, the starter gear is a softer metal than the flywheel to allow it to be a failure point before the flywheel. So, to your point, could be a starter gear issue. The starter gears are also already chamfered so it doesn’t take much to shave them down a bit But yes, it only takes a small percentage of the battery to actually start a vehicle. These gear reduction starters only need a quick blast of energy, not a sustained energy like the old ones with big external solenoids (which were also designed as a fail point). As for it happening once with a new battery - it (starter gear) may not have retracted all the way with the weak battery and was “hanging” with the new battery on that first start. If you do hear it again, I’d say to drop the starter and inspect the gear
Car guy. Serial entrepreneur. Terrible golfer.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: DukeCigars]
#8933417
10/11/23 04:14 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963 |
But if the the clicking sound is rapid, my suspect would be a chipped ring gear on flywheel. A weak battery could agitate sympton.
If it’s factory parts, the starter gear is a softer metal than the flywheel to allow it to be a failure point before the flywheel. So, to your point, could be a starter gear issue. The starter gears are also already chamfered so it doesn’t take much to shave them down a bit But yes, it only takes a small percentage of the battery to actually start a vehicle. These gear reduction starters only need a quick blast of energy, not a sustained energy like the old ones with big external solenoids (which were also designed as a fail point). As for it happening once with a new battery - it (starter gear) may not have retracted all the way with the weak battery and was “hanging” with the new battery on that first start. If you do hear it again, I’d say to drop the starter and inspect the gear Question.. are the new gear reduction starters power disengaged? Could a weak battery cause the starter gear to remain engaged. And.. So, gear with gear reduction motors, we no longer hear the slow click indication of a weak battery? Thanks
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Never trust a man that doesn't trust you.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Lazyjack]
#8933471
10/11/23 11:08 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,685
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,685 |
The OP's original issue is not uncommon. Bendix springs fail all the time (see below). The mid 90's Northstar Cadillac engines has this issue and the bendix would rattle on right turns since the engine was in sideways. Hardly any of the statements here are true ... especially the shop teachers'. The bendix (pinion) is mechanically returned home by a spring. This is not affected by battery voltage in the least. If the bendix is contacting the flexplate or flywheel, replace the starter. Question.. are the new gear reduction starters power disengaged? Never heard of such. Could a weak battery cause the starter gear to remain engaged. See my first and second comment. There is a chance some numbskull engineer created an odd-ball starter and sold it to stockholders but I have never heard of a "power disengaged" starter. And.. So, gear with gear reduction motors, we no longer hear the slow click indication of a weak battery? Untrue. Low amperage causes the clicking. Voltage is like the speed of the electricity whereas amperage is the volume of electricity. Doesn't matter if gear reduction or not, permanent magnet or not, low battery reserve can cause the clicking. The solenoid not being able to stay engaged .... NOTHING involving the bendix to flexplate relationship...causes the clicking. So since the noise comes from the solenoid (which is a high AMP relay), the type of starter MOTOR matters not. Damaged teeth on the flexplate causes a grinding noise like a manual transmission with a broken synchronizer but only while the starter is turning the engine. I think what was mentioned was the clicking sound when the starter CANNOT turn the engine over.
Pass the gravy.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8933865
10/11/23 09:07 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,963 |
Thanks for reply. Veryfied some of memory. Being blessed with means to change batteries prior to end of function, I havent had a battery failure in 20 years. But it is refreshing to learn old school rules still applies.
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Never trust a man that doesn't trust you.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8934119
10/12/23 02:47 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430 |
Appreciate the replies and added input.
The rattle has yet to return, at least for now.
The only starter issues I've seen are the proverbial "click" you hear when worn contacts or a weak solenoid keep juice from flowing to the starter motor. Yes, this can happen on a weak battery as well. But when you know for a fact the battery is good, it's a warning of pending hard fail. Thankfully, after a retry or two the contacts make up and the vehicle starts, still giving you notice of a pending hard fail.
The rattle that came with my issue was after the vehicle had started on a very weak battery.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/12/23 02:53 AM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: GasGuzzler]
#8936368
10/16/23 03:11 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,327
Couzin
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
The mid 90's Northstar Cadillac engines has this issue and the bendix would rattle on right turns since the engine was in sideways. Not for nothing but funny story - much younger me owned a '56 Cadillac with an electric 'eye' on the dash that was supposed to dim the headlights. Whenever the eye saw oncoming headlights it would turn off every light in the vehicle. I had to pull over, turn off the engine, and wait until the tubes (like old radios had) cooled off, then away I would go. When I made a hard right turn, the power seat would go up. Great fun...
Only at the end do you realize the power of the Dark Side.
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8939880
10/20/23 03:13 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430 |
Update: After several failures of the solenoid contacts resulting in the proverbial "click", I went ahead and replaced the starter with a new one. As I may have mentioned earlier, it was at least 100K miles ago that I replaced the solenoid contacts, and with the starter being original with just over 200K miles on it, I decided it was time. Besides, a hard fail during deer season is never a good thing.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/20/23 03:15 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: Texas Dan]
#8940023
10/20/23 07:38 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,347
oldoak2000
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,347 |
Update: After several failures of the solenoid contacts resulting in the proverbial "click", I went ahead and replaced the starter with a new one. As I may have mentioned earlier, it was at least 100K miles ago that I replaced the solenoid contacts, and with the starter being original with just over 200K miles on it, I decided it was time. Besides, a hard fail during deer season is never a good thing. Old battery with a worn-out starter; what could go wrong? Did you put a new battery too??
|
|
|
Re: Question for the best of the shade tree mechanics
[Re: oldoak2000]
#8941362
10/22/23 09:34 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,430 |
Update: After several failures of the solenoid contacts resulting in the proverbial "click", I went ahead and replaced the starter with a new one. As I may have mentioned earlier, it was at least 100K miles ago that I replaced the solenoid contacts, and with the starter being original with just over 200K miles on it, I decided it was time. Besides, a hard fail during deer season is never a good thing. Old battery with a worn-out starter; what could go wrong? Did you put a new battery too?? Yes, did that first just to make sure the starter was telling me its death was imminent. It was a three-year battery that lasted 37 months. A good friend of mine told me he replaces vehicle batteries once the warranty expires. I always wait until they tell me their end time is close at hand. Throw a charge on them and get a few more miles out of them.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/22/23 09:35 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, Superduty, txcornhusker
|