Starter Only Engages For A Second

[gijoe985]

So, this is a weird problem. We just did a head gasket on our high school shop gsx and after we finished it now only cranks for a split second and then the starter disengages. It does it consistently. If we try again it will crank for a split second (less than one second) and then the starter will free spin.

Starter going bad?

 

[Mello]

I had the exact same problem with the starter on my gst. I was able to fix it with doing a real good thorough cleaning. I found the reduction gears were all gummed up with 20+ years of crud as well as the armeture & yoke assembly. Don't use any solvent when cleaning because it can damage the electrical insulations. This didn't require any new part purchases & all is well after a couple years now. Lastly do not loose the little steel ball in the back end of the motor housing cover.

 

[motomattx]

Are the teeth on the starter drive gear and the flywheel good??? if they are then likely your one way bearing in your starter drive is going bad/slipping, or your engine is kicking back which will disengage your starter drive.

 

[ThunderChild]

I agree with a cleaning, sounds like the solenoid connections are dirty and it's not keeping the Bendix pushed out.

 

[gijoe985]

Are the teeth on the starter drive gear and the flywheel good??? if they are then likely your one way bearing in your starter drive is going bad/slipping, or your engine is kicking back which will disengage your starter drive.

The engine does not appear to be kicking back? What would cause that? Like a misfire from off timing?

 

[motomattx]

Timing off, both ignition or cam timing will cause kickback as will being way to lean.

 

[TerminalTalon]

Buy a Denso starter and be done with it.