starter intermittent, help

[rmolina]

ive had this happen to me 3 times, all under diferent circumstances, once when cold wet weather, once in warm, and once after sitting 6 hours, the problem is I hear the starter spining but it seems the selinoid is not enguageing, hence the motor does not turn. I'll check the connections, is there anything else? I have a new 900 amp batery 1 month old, oh ya its a 71

Thanks,

[JP Noonan]

Most 914 starter problems can be traced to bad connections, usally the trans ground strap, or to a bad ignition switch. If the starter is getting power though it may be a bad starter. If you get stuck somewhere that you can't push start it may work to "bang" on the starter with a wrench or rock (or whatever) to get it going again.

Unless you have engaged the starter with the engine running, or it sounded like the starter was grinding into the flywheel, then the flywheel should be O.K.

[Conrad W Peden]

I had a similar problem. The problem with mine was that the solenoid is connected to the shaft of the starter with a pivot arm. The arm and its pivot point were old and the solenoid had difficulty moving it. I ended up removing the solenoid and replacing it while cleaning the arm and pivot area. I had tried to solve the problem by hitting the starter and ended up breaking the plastic cap of the solenoid where the wires connect.

Removing the solenoid is not an easy task unless you have a good vise to put the starter in and one of those hammer screwdriver things to get the screws that hold it on out.

I know this because I had to do it in the paddock at PIR with the starter on my lap.

[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 06-08-99).]