9N starter problem

[jhub]

9N66963-12v battery. Finally got some seat time today grading the driveway after replacing plugs and wires.Soooo fun!!! Once engine was good and warm changed oil. After oil change while checking low idle, engine died. When attempting restart, starter seems to "spin" but doesn't turn engine over. Starter sounds like low battery but have 12+ volts at battery? Where should I start? Thanks again for all the info you post. I have benifited greatly.

Jeff

 

[OKDAD]

So let's assume you have 12v at the starter when cranking. If it spins but the crank does not then your problem is either the bendix or ring gear. Pull starter to find out.

 

[jhub]

When I pull the starter what am I looking for?

Jeff

 

[Tom N MS]

When you pull it and all you have on the end of the starter is a straight slick shaft, you will know that the bendix is in the belly of the tractor. Be careful pulling it so that the starter don't come all apart. The same two long bolts that hold the starter on the tractor also hold all the guts of the starter together.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

If the starter motor spins but the bendix does not engage the ring gear, you have a bad bendix or missing/worn teeth on the ring gear. Pull the starter off the engine & look at the ring gear. If the bendix has fallen off of the starter, that's pretty obvious. If you have good teeth on the ring gear & the bendix is on the shaft, it's likely bad.

To remove the starter, unscrew the bolts out of the block & put a nut on one of them. Otherwise, the starter comes apart. Not fatal, but not fun either. Then, loosen the two bolts holding the oil filter canister to the block, remove the dipstick, and keep the starter close to the block while pushing the front of it down and lifting the back up. Sometimes you have to remove the drain petcock as well.The bendix is behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel.

To install the starter, keep it close to the block while pulling the front of it up and pushing the bendix back into the hole. The bendix has to go behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel. Grinding out an egg shape at the 2 o'clock position before you put it back will make your life easier.

Lastly, while the starter is off, polish the block & starter mating surfaces w/ sandpaper to insure a good electrical ground between the two, and clean the mating surfaces where the starter's "belly" meets the aluminum endbell. The starter's ground circuit is through that "joint" as well was through the starter endbell-to-flywheel housing joint.
50 Tips

 

[BillM (OH)]

Had same problem yesterday on Henry ('50). Pulled starter and bendix was in pieces - luckily they all came out with the starter. Fortunately somebody already egg shaped the hole, so she slid right out without removing anything else - try that first and if no go, as below. Ring gear looks great. Ordered new improved bendix yesterday, along with 4-5 other parts I needed.

 

[souNdguy]

To add to what has been said.. if you have 12v at the starter.. that thing should zing over if it is a 6v unit. if it ain't.. you may be ready for a rebuild.

Now.. if it won't engage.. ditto what the others said about bad ring gear or bendix.. could also be a dirty sticky shaft. the shaft needs to be squeaky clean.. I like carb or brake cleaner to clean them so it leaves no residue.. etc..

Soundguy