All,

I am the happy owner of a 1960 MX-IX. I have an engine start problem.

There is plenty of battery power and the starter motor spins like a cat, producing a 'ticking' sound.

But that is all that happens. It is as if the starter motor does not 'grabs' the engine.

I have tried to pull the vehicle a few feet in Low gear to crank the engine. But with no luck.

Any ideas or tips on how to fix this?

thanks,
Peter

Submitted by pdm@asetek.com on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 18:02

Thank you, Dave and all,

With the 'tick-tick-tick', I mean to say that the starter motor runs at [seemingly] high speed.

I will try the roll the engine by the belt.

Thanks,
Peter

Submitted by pdm@asetek.com on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 17:58

Thank you, Dave and all,

With the 'tick-tick-tick', I mean to say that the starter motor runs at [seemingly] high speed.

I will try the roll the engine by the belt.

Thanks,
Peter

Submitted by woebegone@mind… on Mon, 09/27/2010 - 01:29

One more thing....
Bendix drives work on the initial inertia (don't say that three times in a row), where the speed of the starter and the inertia of the drive causes the drive to sling out the threaded section and engage the ring gear.

If you battery is low (and plenty of battery power doesn't mean it's all getting to the starter) that can happen.

You need to put a voltmeter lead on the starter terminal (NOT the solenoid, yet...) and ground, and have somebody hit the button and see what you are getting.

The "tick-tick-tick" has me puzzled.

You should be able to roll the engine a bit from the belts, or fan (if not a clutch fan), enough to get it off any flat spots in the ring gear.

Just make sure on the voltage to the starter first, roll the engine by hand second (under the front of the engine, a socket on the damper bolt can be used also to turn it)

Submitted by pdm@asetek.com on Sun, 09/26/2010 - 22:51

Thanks gents,

Actually, it is an automatic, wo so the pulling trick wont work, I realize now. :-)

I also tried wacking the starter motor a few times with a rubber hammer. Still no luck.

I think you are right about the the pinion with the worn teath.

Thnks again.
Peter

Submitted by edjagm@comcast.net on Sun, 09/26/2010 - 18:24

I had the same problem on my 1965 3.8 S starter, the pinion on the end of the starter shaft had worn teeth, resulting in not engaging the fly wheel. I was very fortunate to obtain a new pinon. In any event you have to pull the starter.
Good Luck

Ed Messikian
JCSNE