Bronco eats starters...
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Bronco eats starters...
My Bronco has had an appetite for starters in the past year. It's an 81 w/ 351w np 435 4 speed. What has been happening is the starter drive quits working. They last about a month and then just quit turning the engine over. The starer motor still works, just the starter drive gives out. I have replaced the solenoid, cables, checked alt. and made sure ground is good. I have tried starters from just about every part store around. Same thing always happens. The ring gear on the flywheel is good. No damaged teeth. I replaced it about 3 years ago. I can't seem to think of what I might be overlooking. Any ideas?
Thanks, Tony
Thanks, Tony
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
I take it there is no sign of physical damage to the "Bendix" gear after a starter goes south on you? The first thought would be misalignment but that should manifest itself as damage to the flywheel gear. Since that is NOT the case, do the gear teeth on either appear to have wear on the tips of the teeth (talking about the very ends appearing shiny as though they are rubbing in the bottom of the opposite gear valleys). If so, it may be just tight enough that its not causing noticable physical damage but when it engages it may be creating enough pressure to tweak the gear and eventually damage the solenoid that engages the gear. I know its a long shot but at this point, there is nothing else obvious.
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I had a 75 f100 with a 429 and 4 speed it ate starters turns out it had skipped a cpl teeth on the timing set so it would kick back on the starter a little and they didn't last long put a new timing set in and it was all better
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Was it especially hard cranking when the engine was hot, meaning, at some times seeming as if it would not start?
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No it always turned over normal, never even giving any signs of quiting. Then like clockwork the starter just zings, not engaging the flywheel. I appreciate y'alls help cause I'm completely stump. Many heads are better than one. Thank God I have a manual tranny. I've got roll starting down to a science.
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UPDATE:
I think I figured out my problem. I found that my ignition switch was a little screwy and not giving good power to the small wire on the solenoid. The power would sort of pulse, letting the solenoid rapidly pulse, but not enough to hear it. Put on a new ignition switch and am getting constant, full voltage to trip the solenoid now. Now I'll cross my fingers and wait.
I think I figured out my problem. I found that my ignition switch was a little screwy and not giving good power to the small wire on the solenoid. The power would sort of pulse, letting the solenoid rapidly pulse, but not enough to hear it. Put on a new ignition switch and am getting constant, full voltage to trip the solenoid now. Now I'll cross my fingers and wait.