Adjusting Starter Motor

[Drains]

Hey all

I've a brand new starter motor on the boat. The solenoid only engages the motor once every ten or so throws of the key. It clunks, but no power to the motor. I can't send it back as I need it to work by the weekend.
Can I adjust it or do anything else to make the thing work every time?

Ta

Si

 

[MonsterLandrover]

Is it a preengaged type? It sounds like there's either a bad connection the the high power side or the solenoid isn't making good contact.

 

[Drains]

Aye, pre-engaged.
It's the solenoid not making a good contact ML. It's brand new though, so my guess is the plunger's not throwing far enough. It's fractional though, as it does work when it feels like it.

 

[Justme]

It will be dirt / corrosion on the contacts. Some are easy to strip & some are not. Google starter / solenoid repairs. Lots of info to help.

 

[Robotstar5]

Check you are getting full power to the solenoid, may have high resistance joint in the starter circuit?. An easy test is put a feed from the battery direct to the solenoid.

 

[pedrobedro]

Put an earth from a starter bolt back to the battery to eliminate that and a new heavy wire from the battery to the live side.

 

[the snooper]

ive stripped them before even if the ends of the solenoid are folded over, just peel back repair and tap it back gently

 

[Tengtooltom]

Join the switch wire (small wire) terminal to the heavy battery cable terminal with a spanner or screwdriver etc to test

 

[rtbcomp]

If it's pre-engaged it could be the pinion clutch mechanism is limiting before the contacts make. There may be a screw on the side with a locking nut, this screw is eccentric and adjusts the throw of the clutch.

If it rattles like a machine gun then you've got a bad connection or the holding coil in the solenoid is open circuit.

Connect a bulb between the live terminal on the motor itself and ground, if it lights up the solenoid is OK but there may be a bad connection inside the motor itself.

Connect a battery between the live terminal on the motor and ground, the motor should spin without engaging the pinion.

 

[Drains]

Wow. What a great bunch of answers!
To confirm, the motor itself works, no problem. The cables are fine, all connections are fine. There's no rattilng, just the clunk you'd expect (and sometimes get with a flat battery/ bad contacts).

Rog's answer is where i'll start - plus Justme (and snoop). The screw and locking nut on the side - I'll adjust that either way and see if it makes a difference. If that doesn't work then I'll strip the solenoid and check the contacts.
I may also try tapping the solenoid with a long thing (not sure what I've got handy as all my tools are on a container), while I turn the key.

Cheers guys. That's given me plenty to go on with.

 

[eil]

I had a very similar problem with the starter of a LDV pick up, the plunger did not seem to be long enough by just a few thou, I had to just put a quick tack with the mig right in the center of the plunger and its been ok since. but like I said it was just a smidgen too short to make contact.

 

[MattF]

What make/brand of starter motor?