Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

[444]

I've got a 1982 mercury 175hp v6. Seems like the solenoid inside the starter that causes the starter gear to pop up and mesh with the flywheel is not working properly. Sometimes when I hit the key the starter will just spin and the drive gear won't pop up. If I trim the motor a little up or down it will work. I think shaking it just a little seems to do it. Hasn't left me stranded yet but want to deal with this before it becomes an issue. Is the starter rebuildable or is that solenoid inside replaceable?

 

[canoemang]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

So the bendex doesn't come up all the way?

you try to drop a little bit of oil down the shaft of it?

 

[444]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

Yes exactly. It will either work fine or not move up and the starter motor will just spin over. No slipping or partial engagement, seems to either work or not.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

definitely sounds like a problem with the Bendix. You should check and see if it's available as it's own part or have a starter shop replace it.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

The starter drive 'screws' its way up the starter shaft as the almost instant acceleration of the starter motor overcomes the inertia of the drive. Poor engagement of the drive is often caused by dirt accumulation of the shaft threads from someone using grease or oil instead of silicone or graphite. The other cause, and more likely culprit, is poor electrical contact anywhere between the starter and battery. Disconnect, sand every battery and starter cable, BOTH ends, until they are clean BRIGHT. If the battery still has 'wing nuts' replace them with a real stainless steel nut, all connections must be clean bright and tight or the starter cannot instantly draw the massive current necessary for the drive to work perfectly every time.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

That's True CharlieB and it's always a good thing to stay on top of, but the PO did say the starter motor was turning over, so I feel the real problem is a worn or dirty Bendix. My02

 

[444]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

Does anything force the bendix up other than the rotation of the main starter drive? I've worked on cars a lot but never bothered to rebuild a car starter just get a new one from the junyard.

Sometimes the starter will work fine and it whips the motor over plenty fast. Other times I'll hit the key and just hear it go 'ruuuuur' as the starter just rotates on it's own. After hitting the key a few times and/or trimming it will work. So anything else to do other than remove the bendix, clean and lube it and clean all the electrical connections?

 

[GenuineRaft]

Re: Starter drive solenoid replaceable?

Does anything force the bendix up other than the rotation of the main starter drive? I've worked on cars a lot but never bothered to rebuild a car starter just get a new one from the junyard.

Sometimes the starter will work fine and it whips the motor over plenty fast. Other times I'll hit the key and just hear it go 'ruuuuur' as the starter just rotates on it's own. After hitting the key a few times and/or trimming it will work. So anything else to do other than remove the bendix, clean and lube it and clean all the electrical connections?

Mine 150 hp is doing the same thing. I'm trying to figure out when it is time to go with a new starter, or if it is like some have stated, a lubrication issue.