Tapping on a starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: TX
Tapping on a starter
A friend of mine told me that his car wouldnt start any more and I told him that I would come over and take a look at it. I knew about the tapping on the starter/soleniod with the handle end of a screwdriver. I did it and it sure enough it started right up. When he asked what tapping on it did, I couldnt answer cause I wasnt sure myself what it actually does. Can someone explain what it does?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Originally Posted by wezol5484
When he asked what tapping on it did, I couldnt answer cause I wasnt sure myself what it actually does. Can someone explain what it does?
I don't know. Maybe it shifts stuff around? Jars it a spec maybe? Not really sure. Now I am interested to know!
-Matt
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Depends on what kind of starter. If you tapped on the fender mounted solenoid, then the solenoid is sticky and should be replaced. Not likely.
If you tapped on the starter body itself, you either losened the starter mounted solenoid, or more likely, broke loose the "bendix" mechanism in the starter that pushes the starter gear into the ring gear on the flywheel/flexplate. Those can get moisture, get old, etc.
Other possibility, you broke loose the armature from the brushes in the starter.
Your buddy needs to decide if he's going to "Pay now or Pay Later"
If you tapped on the starter body itself, you either losened the starter mounted solenoid, or more likely, broke loose the "bendix" mechanism in the starter that pushes the starter gear into the ring gear on the flywheel/flexplate. Those can get moisture, get old, etc.
Other possibility, you broke loose the armature from the brushes in the starter.
Your buddy needs to decide if he's going to "Pay now or Pay Later"
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Yea, chev starter has the solenoid on it. Could be either solenoid or bendix.
Easy fix unless you've waited till you're at a hiway rest stop in the middle of a snowstore/or the hottest day of the year at midnight/high noon with several children under 6 in the car along with their mother who has seen you hit the starter a couple of times and had asked you at the time if maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to get that fixed.......
Easy fix unless you've waited till you're at a hiway rest stop in the middle of a snowstore/or the hottest day of the year at midnight/high noon with several children under 6 in the car along with their mother who has seen you hit the starter a couple of times and had asked you at the time if maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to get that fixed.......
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: TX
My friend wants to know. "How does it 'break loose' the armature from the brushes when both brushes need to be in contact with the armature at all times for the motor to function?"
I dunno how to answer that lol. Thanks 85e150six4mtod for the info though.
And its not me pretending to be my friend trying not to sound stupid...thats my friends friend.
I dunno how to answer that lol. Thanks 85e150six4mtod for the info though.
And its not me pretending to be my friend trying not to sound stupid...thats my friends friend.
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Cargo Master
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From: TX
No..I..i mean HE doesnt have a mullet. But come on now you know me better than that, would I admit do driving a cheby?
Jim... do you know the answer to "his" question though? I figure if you did you would have added it in but I know your a smart feller so I may as well as ya to make sure.
Jim... do you know the answer to "his" question though? I figure if you did you would have added it in but I know your a smart feller so I may as well as ya to make sure.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NW
The solenoid does 2 things. It has a powerful magnet that energizes and slams the starter drive into the ring gear to engage the starter teeth. Secondly, it has a beefier set of contact points in it that carry a more heavy load, than the initial power that is used to initialize the magnet. Those points carry the REAL battery load to spin the starter, when the magnet slams down. 