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How to Bench Test a Starter II
#1
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JWL
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My earlier request generated a lot of discussion including interesting features of air starters, and even a tractor engine that can run in either direction. All of this is fine but not very helpful to me.

The starter is off of my 1947 Custom Clipper with the 356 engine. It is a Autolite with a geared drive. It is different that starters on the 282s and sixes.

My question is what to do next after securing the starter in a vise and connecting battery cables? I have a remote starter switch, how is it connected? What else is needed to test the starter? Thanks for your help.

(o{I}o)

Posted on: 2010/3/11 11:56
We move toward
And make happen
What occupies our mind... (W. Scherer)
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#2
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Owen_Dyneto
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After connecting ground and power, just quickly jump power to one of the two smaller terminals on the solenoid, just as the starter switch would do. I don't recall which of the two smaller terminals, I think it's the outboard one, but just try it and see.

Posted on: 2010/3/11 12:05
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#3
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gone1951
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Why don't you just take it to an auto electric shop. They can tell you if it's any good or not.

Posted on: 2010/3/11 12:16
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#4
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BigKev
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Also most O'Reilys and Autozone's will test starters for free.

But if you just want to make sure it spins, then you would ground the case to positive (+6v car). Attached the negative from your battery to the open large lug on the starter. Then attach the remote start button (or a piece of wire ) to the large lug also. Then when you touch the other end of the wire to one of the small legs it should activate the solenoid and engage the starter. If one leg doesn't work, then try the other one. On more modern solenoids the second small leg was there to provide a 12v bypass around the ballast resistor for the coil during starting operations.

Now keep in mind this doesn't test the starter under load conditions.

Posted on: 2010/3/11 12:57
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#5
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JWL
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Good news. The problem with the starter drive not fully engaging with the flywheel was the solenoid to drive yoke was in backwards. The yoke has a slight offset and I assembled it the wrong way when I had the starter disassembled for cleaning and lubricating. I could get the starter to work on the car, but it had the engagement problem.

I never could perform the bench test where the solenoid would engage. I could get the starter to spin by making a connection between the battery terminal on the solenoid to the "other" large terminal on the solenoid.

Anyway, my guess about what was wrong was right and it works just fine. Thanks to all for your help.

(o{I}o)

Posted on: 2010/3/13 11:45
We move toward
And make happen
What occupies our mind... (W. Scherer)
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#6
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scottie
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The problem with taking an older starter to Autozone, Checker, etc. is their testing equipment is all computerized now. If your vehicle isn't in the computer "Gee, sorry, we can't do that". Gone are the days of people actually knowing how to perform their job without the use of a g%*#@(n computer.

Posted on: 2010/3/13 11:55
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#7
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Owen_Dyneto
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Of course one very simple, easy and quick way to test it is to install it and try it. Installation should only be 30 minutes or less.

Posted on: 2010/3/13 14:04
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#8
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JWL
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Quote:

Owen_Dyneto wrote:
Of course one very simple, easy and quick way to test it is to install it and try it. Installation should only be 30 minutes or less.


Quite true, and in the end this is what I did. I don't think it took me 30 minutes to get the Clipper reattached to the starter. The hardest part was lifting the starter in and out of the Clipper. I should have weighed it while it was off of the car. That is one hunk o'metal.

(o{I}o)

Posted on: 2010/3/13 20:23
We move toward
And make happen
What occupies our mind... (W. Scherer)
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#9
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Dave Kenney
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Quote:

JW wrote:
Quote:

Owen_Dyneto wrote:
Of course one very simple, easy and quick way to test it is to install it and try it. Installation should only be 30 minutes or less.


Quite true, and in the end this is what I did. I don't think it took me 30 minutes to get the Clipper reattached to the starter. The hardest part was lifting the starter in and out of the Clipper. I should have weighed it while it was off of the car. That is one hunk o'metal.

(o{I}o)

John, You should try lifing out a transmission like I did last year! It must weigh about the same as a Honda Civic (the whole car not just the transmission)!

Posted on: 2010/3/13 23:10
______________________________________________
Dave
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Re: How to Bench Test a Starter II
#10
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Daniel Leininger
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JW

Glad you got it figured out and working again.

Quote:
The hardest part was lifting the starter in and out of the Clipper. I should have weighed it while it was off of the car. That is one hunk o'metal. (o{I}o)

Yes, even on my 41 Clipper with a 282, the lift over the fender, requires padding over the fender, a platform to stand on, a hand strap, and a good back.


DanL

Posted on: 2010/3/14 12:19
[i][size=small]Dan'L in SD
41ParPack
[color=000066]First of the Clippers

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