Cub starter spinning

[Gourdo]

My ‘49 cub just decided not to start, the starter is just spinning and won’t engage. The teeth show some wear but would this cause it to not engage at all? Seems to slide properly. Just wondering if there’s anything to be done besides replacing it. Time to cultivate! Thanks.

[staninlowerAL]

Welcome to the forum. If you have a hand crank, try turning the CS about a quarter of a turn and try the starter again. If you don't have a hand crank, put the transmission in 3rd gear and roll the tractor forward a little to move the CS. Most of the time the CS stops at the same place so most of the wear on the ring gear teeth is in one place. BTDT. Stan

[Gourdo]

Thanks for your reply and the welcome. Good to be here! I dont have a crank but I rolled her a bit in 3rd gear as you said, but still just spinning when I pull the starter rod. Just a hint of grinding noise.

[Crimson Tim]

I believe low voltage can cause the starter bendix drive not to kick out assertively enough. How are your electrical connections? Especially grounds? Performing a voltage drop test might be instructive.

Does it perform differently if you go directly from the battery to the starter with jumper cables?

How is the health of the battery?

Also, if the bushings in the starter motor wear, that can cause the armature to drag.

Condition of the bendix drive? Is it damaged somehow and hanging up or need a little grease?

Do you have access to a known good starter you could swap in for comparison?

[Eugene]

Could be a voltage/amperage problem as Crimson Tim suggests.

The starter is repairable. Do it yourself is not expensive; usually brushes, bearing and a bushing. Or find a shop specializing in generators/starters.

[SamsFarm]

Starter drive sounds stuck!

[Eugene]

Starter drive sounds stuck!

49 Cub, probably the original starter. My guess is the armature is dragging on the fields. Anyway, disassembly, rebuild.

[Gourdo]

Thanks guys. It performed the same jumping it from the battery. I took it to a shop today as they said they had parts for the drive. They said the spring in the drive was snapped. Will put it in tomorrow and hope for the best!

[Gourdo]

Well I put the starter back in with the new drive, but its doing the same thing! Just spinning and going “whirrrr”. I guess I will take it back to the shop unless anyone has a suggestion.

[Glen]

Hi,
You didn't say if you checked the battery voltage. You didn't say if the starter turns fast, or slow.
A battery with a bad cell probably won't put out enough power to make the starter work right.
I would connect a test voltmeter to the battery, and see if the voltage drops much when the starter is running.
The battery may need charging.

[Gourdo]

Thanks Glen. It is spinning fast and battery voltage is 13.5, but it drops at the starter when I measure it there. Bad cable?

[tst]

check grounds

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

So you replaced the entire bendix or just the spring inside the bendix? The drive gear rotates on a helix and is supposed to have pretty tight tolerance, and they can be fickle. If there are any scratches or burrs inside the bendix housing, the gear can get hung up.

[Glen]

Thanks Glen. It is spinning fast and battery voltage is 13.5, but it drops at the starter when I measure it there. Bad cable?

Hi,
You didn't say how much the voltage drops when the starter is running, measured at the starter.

[Gourdo]

Yes the whole bendix was replaced. The voltage drops to 11 at the starter. Is this enough to make it not work? I am not sure how to check the grounds. Thanks everyone