Sprint starter issue

[gmsclassics]

This relates to a Sprint rolling shell I acquired back in 2010 and built up using standard engine and drivetrain from various different cars. I then fitted an 1850 auto and replaced the 2” SUs with standard set up back in 2013. Car has done 12500km in the 6 years since.

For some time I have had an issue with the starter that has recently got a lot worse. At random it seems, when trying to start the car, the starter motor makes a very loud metallic screaming noise as it turns, but doesn’t engage. After doing this a couple of times, it then works quite normally. Equally next time I turn the key it may or not work normally or make the screaming noise. It is loud and makes anyone nearby jump!

On occasion the starter may slow as if the battery is nearly flat, when in fact it is well charged.

Any thoughts please? I haven’t had a look a underneath as not sure what to either look for or test.

Geoff

[dursley92]

My guess is the pinion is not engaging on the flywheel fully so the teeth are just spinning against the edge of it. Might be a bit sticky or a bad electrical contact/earth which would also explain why it is slow.

[Carledo]

What Russ said ^^^^^^^

All the symptoms of a duff starter! But check the engine earths as well!

Steve

[gmsclassics]

Eventually got fed up with the noise and removed the starter. The face of the pinion had been worn back by at least 2mm and the end of each tooth was completely flat. I was surprised that the pinion was actually capable of engaging at all.

Found an old 1850 starter, stripped both down, cleaned and rebuilt the Sprint one using the 1850 pinion/lever mechanism that was almost like new. Just cleaning the solenoid seemed to improve its operation too. Then refitted the starter, but this time there was a screaming noise once I released the key. Obviously the pinion and ring gear were now touching all the time.

Out and back in using 2.5mm thick washers as spacers which fixed the issue.

I do remember reading somewhere that some models/versions required a spacer between the starter and the mounting plate but have never experienced this before.

Now working just as it should

Geoff

[TrustNo1]

I do remember reading somewhere that some models/versions required a spacer between the starter and the mounting plate but have never experienced this before.



Geoff

it's the dolomite 1500 that is prone to needing various thicknesses of spacer.

[Mad Mart]

One of my Sprint restos had a spacer fitted. So I made a template in case any one wants to make one.