Mini started dead !

[tpodwdog]

hi guys...need a quick answer if possible, heres what happened.

went to start the Belvy.... it clikked and then lost ALL electrical power. took off neg battery terminal and put back on....power restored. once key turned and the click is heard,,,all power lost again until the neg battery terminal is removed and put back on.

440 has a mini starter and thats what is bad ( i thought it might have been the starter relay due to the power loss with the electric so i replaced it.....has same symptoms)

is that how these mini starters operate? should i put another mini starter on it? ,,,,or go with a mopar starter...( it does not have headers ) the car is at my nephews garage until i can get another starter. patiently awaiting your response ! thanx!:headbang:

 

[65DODGE]

just go to the local bone yard and get one off like a 98 dodge pickup they are a mini starter and they bolt right up thats what i have on my stock no headers 440 it works great and it only costed me 25 bucks.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

I assume that your battery & starter relay are good.The mini starter just going click, when you turn the key, is the solenoid on the mini starter...You can replace the contacts. Jump the starter at both terminals on the solenoid see if it starts, No start then contacts most likely worn. You can give the solenoid a few bang with a hammer also.. Could get you started to get home.....

 

[tpodwdog]

thanx pops...i have never seen a mini starter before....but i did hit it with a hammer,,,,,nuthin happened. the mini has 2 wires going to it,,,a thick red one and a thin red one. if i remember from back in the day,,,,,stock mopars starters had this so could i get a stock mopar starter and not mess with that mini ????

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Wiring on mini is Big wire is battery, small one is to the starter Relay/ignition switch.If I remember correctly, the mini hooks up the same way the old one did. I think may needed to change one of the wire ends to a different size

 

[440roadrunner]

I'm not convinced the starter is the problem. You need to clip a voltmeter down there on the big starter stud, right on the starter.

Then jumper (screwdriver/ etc) between the two starter terminals and measure the voltage as you do so

Less than 10V bare minimum, means you are not getting voltage to the starter (bad cables, battery) or else the starter is drawing one HELL of a lot of current. Only way to know for certain is to have the battery load tested, and also test starter draw, which you can also do with a load tester.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

NIce video on starter voltage drop...Classroom tech


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhRPLgH6uZg&feature=related

 

[tpodwdog]

I'm not convinced the starter is the problem. You need to clip a voltmeter down there on the big starter stud, right on the starter.

Then jumper (screwdriver/ etc) between the two starter terminals and measure the voltage as you do so

Less than 10V bare minimum, means you are not getting voltage to the starter (bad cables, battery) or else the starter is drawing one HELL of a lot of current. Only way to know for certain is to have the battery load tested, and also test starter draw, which you can also do with a load tester.

i would have done that but i didnt have access to such meters. i drove the car to my nephews to get some pix for you guys coz members have been asking for pix.....10 minutes later i go to start the belvy....NUTHIN... its the starter...i changed the relay and there was no difference...i crawled under the car,,, and the starter is clicking...but it only clicks once then there is no power.....thats what made me think it was the relay....i got nuthin until i disconnected the negative battery terminal....then all i got was one click.. its either the starter or missing some teeth on the flywheel....i havent had time to check that yet because the car is not home...its still at my nephews house. i just ordered a new starter 10 minutes ago. if its NOT the starter.... then ill have a spare one that i can use on the belvy or the road runner! all the cables are new and clean and are always kept that way. thanx for the input!

 

[MarPar]

i drove the car to my nephews to get some pix for you guys coz members have been asking for pix[/B]

OH!! so it's OUR fault now!!! lmao

sorry D, couldnt resist. :sideways tongue:
hopefully it's as simple as a starter swap and you can be back out :3gears:
oh before you do that, dont forget....:worthless_thread:

yeah, i know, im a ball bustin' bastard!!!! :jerk:

 

[tpodwdog]

OH!! so it's OUR fault now!!! lmao

sorry D, couldnt resist. :sideways tongue:
hopefully it's as simple as a starter swap and you can be back out :3gears:
oh before you do that, dont forget....:worthless_thread:

yeah, i know, im a ball bustin' bastard!!!! :jerk:

youre killin me hereeeeeeeeee....killinnnnnnnnnnn..... wheres my damn steaks meat man !lol

 

[Budnicks]

Mini starter

There is nothing wrong with using a mini starter, you will usually need to trim the main 12vt./1/4" post, so it doesn't contact the engine block, unless you get a clock-able style, they last great, even on my high compression engines & don't get heat soaked, anywhere near like the larger units, especially with headers, yes they are more expensive, the last one I had was a Powermaster 4.4:1 reduction, it spins a 11:1 479ci like no tomorrow, I have a Mopar replacement Dakota/Ram 5.2ltr/318ci or 5.9ltr./360ci, Mancini Racing MRE starter on my current 68 RR engine BB/B-Engine now too, never an issue... I hope you get it sorted out electrical issues are the worst... Ignition switch, bulkhead connections, starter, starter relay, battery, fusible link, ground or wiring...

 

[67 coronet]

low battery voltage or a dieing cell in the battery could cause what you are describing.load test your battery first before you just change the starter.make sure you have clean tight contact on all the cables as well.i have seen loose cables cause that exact problem as well.

 

[tpodwdog]

the battery is new,,,but that dont mean its good. i got a new mini commin from summit,,,be here tomorrow then ill fly to my nephewes and throw it on. im pretty good at electrical and almost 99% sure the starter is dead...but ill let yaz know!

 

[69redrunner]

Did you try starting it with a jump from a good battery/running car?
I'd try to confirm that it's not just the battery before shelling out the bucks on a starter you can't return.

 

[Bruzilla]

its either the starter or missing some teeth on the flywheel....

I've lost teeth on the flywheel, and if that was the problem you would know it. That starter would be whirling around full speed but the engine wouldn't be moving. Very distinctive symptom... and very sad.

 

[RustyRatRod]

What you describe sounds like loose or dirty battery connections. Either at the battery, or their destination points. Do you have properly sized ground straps going from the engine to the body?

 

[tpodwdog]

all grounds are clean and connections are clean. all ground straps are in great shape. battery checked and giving 12.5 v....the starter was bad. i just put on a new one and all is well again. thanx for all the help guyz!

 

[67 coronet]

thats a weird one.was the bendix staying engaged once power was applied to cause the no power situation?just wondering.

 

[Budnicks]

Good to see, she's fixed again.... Get r' don

 

[tpodwdog]

thats a weird one.was the bendix staying engaged once power was applied to cause the no power situation?just wondering.

im pretty sure thats what was happening. i didnt disect the full problem yet. didnt do any tests on the bad starter as of yet but i plan to and let yaz know! thanx for all the HEPP !:headbang: