Starter Motor Done???

[Canyon707]

I am having issues with my starting my drag car. I was going to the races today in Sonoma so I started up my car this morning to check my tranny fluid and it worked just fine. I went to put it on the trailer and it only clicked and didn't turn over at all.
I have the batteries fully charged both of them load tested them as well and there good. This has happened a few times before to me but them it would finally kick over. Today tried at least 10 times and all I got was a click (engagement but no cranking. Do you think the starter is bad or something else. Appreicate your answers.
Thanks

 

[mopar 3 B]

Full size or mini starter?

 

[Jeremiah]

Did you check the starter relay? As said above we need to know what starter you are using.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Trunk mount? Need to make sure all connections good clean and tight. At battery. Cut off switch. And starter. Could be the starter, but check voltage at the starter. And check voltage drop on battery cable to starter

 

[Trashdog67]

Measure voltage at the starter terminal while someone tries to engage the starter. That will tell you a lot.

 

[cryplydog]

give the starter a good firm tap from above with a bar or pipe. works like a champ unless you have connection probs.

 

[Canyon707]

its a regular size starter as far as I know 440 I also looks like it will be nearly impossible to remove without removing the headers

 

[slepr1]

Header definitely need to come off or moved if replacing. I like my mini starter. Built in heat shield, not so tight fitting...

 

[Canyon707]

yes and that looks ugly. Here is what happened this am. It cranked over three different times then stopped and went back to the single clank like it engaged but not cranking. What thoughts on that when it did crank it sounded strong like normal. there is 12 v down to the starter but I hve to get a pigtail electrical clamp to check the other side and see if it outputs the same on that side. Seems strange that it was intermitent. thoughts???.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

yes and that looks ugly. Here is what happened this am. It cranked over three different times then stopped and went back to the single clank like it engaged but not cranking. What thoughts on that when it did crank it sounded strong like normal. there is 12 v down to the starter but I hve to get a pigtail electrical clamp to check the other side and see if it outputs the same on that side. Seems strange that it was intermitent. thoughts???.

Sounds like the starter is crapping out. Get a high torque mini.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Pitted solenoid contact disk not always making contact in starter or starter brushes may have just worn to short to make contact. Time for a rebuild at a good electrical shop or a new mini. These are to big a pain to replace to depend on cheap replacements that may or may not work.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Do you have a lift to work on. I would probably pull the transmission before I touched the headers.

 

[Canyon707]

I ordered a high torque mini starter. Now comes the hard part removing or even loosening the headers. Good project for a rainy day and thats looking like Friday morning. I am just concerned about the header bolts.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I ordered a high torque mini starter. Now comes the hard part removing or even loosening the headers. Good project for a rainy day and thats looking like Friday morning. I am just concerned about the header bolts.

Consider pulling the Transmission. You just need to pull it back far enouh to slip the starter out

 

[Canyon707]

I hope that I dont have to do that. it has a scatter shield attached to it

 

[Canyon707]

So here is what I have got done so far. Headers loose but not removed.Starter unbolted but not out. The headers are a big problem here not sure how they actually got them in here yet I am sure Headman made them. It looks like I need to drop the steering arm at the front wheels going from side to side tie rod? to let the headers drop down so I can remove the starter. Here is my question the steering arm has two bolts each side and are some kind of ball joint that is pressed in. How do I drop that arm????? Answers greatly appreicated.

 

[Pistol Pete]

If it's the drag link you're referencing, you'll need a tie rod puller.



Also, with the headers loose, it can help to pull the pin on the motor mount and jack up the engine on the same side. This (may) allow some extra clearance when swinging the headers over to get the starter out.

 

[Canyon707]

Nice tool I will look for one. I cant jack the motor since the scatter schield is so close to the floor. I hope the mini starter fits in easier. thanks for the input.

 

[Canyon707]

Well I got it out. Dropped the tie rod and it fell out breaking my lightbulb. Now I am just waiting for my mini starter before I put it back together. Thyanks for all your advice. that makes this site work so well.
Again Thanks

 

[slepr1]

I know how to fix that broken lightbulb....