Jammed starter?

[alniki]

The starter of my 87 3.2 had no response with the ignition switch at Crank position for several times in the past but I managed to get it cranking after trying 5 to 8 more times.

Recently, the problem got worse and in two occasions I had to first push the car with the 1st gear on and then got it back to neutral, turn the ignition key, and the starter would crank and start the engine.

This time, I did the same trick but the car seemed to resist any push with gears on and while trying to crank the engine the light would dim, i.e. drop of system voltage, but the starter just would not crank, nothing. Since the system voltage dropped I suppose the switch, wiring, and solenoid were all fine and the current did go into the starter motor. Is the starter jammed or what?

For other cars I'd use a hammer to tap the starter but with the 911 I have no way to approach it and no tool to jack up the car. Any suggestion? Thanks!

[tonythetarga]

Time for a new starter. This is not uncommon and we've all been through it.

[rnln]

Many people here had the same, or similar problem, and most gone through the same path.
Check batery voltage. When it happens, try jumping the car from another car?
Check the voltage on the yellow wire while cracking. This wire is the one which gives the voltage (signal) from the key to the starter. It is right under the steering wheel. This wire should get closed to 12+ when key at start position. On my car, it caries 0.05v at ON position.
Lastly, check starter. If it happen at home, jack up the car and jump start the starter (from pole to pole) with a screw driver.

[peritus]

I just ordered the high torque starter from Pelican. I attempted to get my current one rebuilt, but it keeps crapping out.

Apparently the high torque unit is the way to go.

Make sure you determine it's the starter first though - there is a great technical article available through Pelican that troubleshoots a 914 starting system. It's worth a read-through to check components.

[ErVikingo]

How's your ground strap? Its a cheap part and it caused similar problems in my car....

[RoninLB]

seems not enough current to crank it.

really bad starter windings could draw huge amps but could not go from good to bad in one day. It builds up imo.

[alniki]

Guys, thanks for the advice.

I had charged the battery and for fear of insufficient capacity also hooked up a second battery with higher AH but the starter still would not crank.

Then I shift the transmission to 2nd gear, one foot depressing the clutch pedal, the other foot on the ground pushing the car forward, and relaesing the clutch 1 second later to rock the engine. Back to neutral and twisted the switch, the starter turned without hesitation and the engine came to life in 3 cranking sounds.

I suspect that either the starter had become a bit loose with the gears dislocated or the engine had partially seized due to some unknown serious problems. I have had a high-torque starter on the way but would like to know what you think of this issue before replacing the starter. Thanks!

[RoninLB]

if i wanted to check load carring ability of the starter i'd measure the amp draw on a cold engine. Solenoid is another story.

[RoninLB]

[alniki]

Ronin, thanks for the great diagram.
Have not seen such things after losig all those basic motrobooks years ago. I'll study it and think more about the problem.