Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Bought a rebuilt starter off ebay but I think its got a bad armature.The battery shows 6 volts load tested for 30 seconds still shows 6 volts.Replaced both battery cables with 2/0 cable and ran cables all the way to the starter. When I first installed the starter it turned very slow and then did start turn faster after a few turns. When the engine is hot 165 degrees. shut off the engine and tried to restart the engine it was turning very slow and would not start the engine. The old starter worked better than that.

Sounds like it's best to do some benchtop troubleshooting. If it has brushes, are they making good contact?

Rebuilt motors and generators seems to be a gamble so I guess getting a good part depends on whether the rebuilder was reputable and how thorough the rebuild was and will they stand behind the part. Some of the rebuilders are very thorough, others consider a lube, brushes, commutator dressing and a fresh coat of paint all that is needed and don't look much farther. The real gyps are those that if the item works at all are satisfied calling a rebuild anything with a new coat of paint.

To that end I would wonder whether the rebuild included new bushings. I seem to recall a post from Ross a few years ago where he had a customer with a hit or miss starter that was acting about the same. When he took it apart Ross found very worn bushings was allowing the armature to drag against the field.

There are two shops in MI that I use for all of my starters and generators. ALS in Lansing and Ecourse Auto Elect in Ecourse.

Gar

I came across the starter back in april I bought it because I thought I might need it someday so the warrenty is gone. Im still going to call the guy.This car is fighting me every step of the way