bench test

[tomturkey]

Is there any reason to not test a starter on the bench before installation? Will doing that mess up the starter drive? or possibly break or do something to the bendix?? springs. I was hoping to NOT take it to the generator/starter shop as it is always a pricey trip. gobble

 

[NY 986]

Just wear protective eye glasses and make sure starter will not fall therefore breaking a casting.

 

[Janicholson]

If yountest it with a 12 volt battery, it will react with violence unless it is in a vice. They are going to spin on their axis radically. Even a small tap of the jumpers is a bit dangerous. Stepping on it on the floor is kinda OK, but it will torque even then. Jim

 

[UncleTom]

My starter guy always tested his in a big vise. Then he would take a 4 ft.. 2x4 and put one end on the bench and pull the 2x4 up into the bendix and make it smoke and saw wood. That tested the bendix for being good and not kicking out. He was the best around bar none. Other shops sometimes brought alternators to him when they failed to fix it.

 

[Steve@Advance]

As said, it will take off with a huge burst of torque!

Bench testing doesn't really give much information. Even a sick starter will generally pass a bench test.

Best to take it apart and check the bushings and brushes, look things over, give it the sniff test.

 

[Mike M]

Clamp it in a vice and grab some jumper cables and a battery. I even like to test rebuilds especially from autozone. Got one for Mom's Mazda MPV van and glad I tested it before installing it as it didn't work.

 

[NY 986]

Smaller starters will clamp in a vise just fine while larger ones will sometimes kick out of the vice. Usually, you are good if the starter goes more than half way down into the vise jaws. A young strong man can hold one on the floor just fine but if you are older you may not have enough strength in your legs and feet to do that.

 

[matthies]

If its a 6 volt, don't run it very long if using a 12 volt source, they don't like it and you will be getting a rebuild or replacement.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 13:37:06 01/10/23) If its a 6 volt, don't run it very long if using a 12 volt source, they don't like it and you will be getting a rebuild or replacement.

6V starters like 12V just fine, especially if there is no load. You probably should not crank on an engine like that for several minutes, but brief 5-10 second cranking sessions are no issue whatsoever.

 

[John T]

I've (past used tractor dealer) bench tested a starter many times, JUST BE SURE ITS CLAMPED TIGHT IN A GOOD HEAVY VISE !!! A battery and jumper cables will work fine. HOWEVER a bench test will show if its definitely BAD but it will NOT prove its good since with no load theres not much of a test compared to how it will perform under actual heavy load. It should spin fast n smooth at the least in a vise...

John T

 

[Ted in NE-OH]

It will ONLY tells you that it runs. It won't tell you if it has the power to turn over an engine

 

[wore out]

(quoted from post at 14:39:14 01/10/23) It will ONLY tells you that it runs. It won't tell you if it has the power to turn over an engine

If a starter has LOTS of ''kick'' to it it's a fair indication that it may crank the engine well.

On the other hand, if it winds up slowly without trying to get away it likely won't crank an engine well, either.

NOT an accurate test, but better than nothing, IMHO.

 

[tomturkey]

Thank you all very much for your advice and expertise. I bench tested, in a vise as advised, it motored up smooth and quickly, but, the starter drive(aka bendix??) did not kick in and out as it should. Someone has messed with it before as it has a big ole galvanized washer and nut that's not oem. Glad I tested it. Again thank you all. Will try and find the correct starter drive and go from there. gobble

 

[wore out]

What starter/engine are you working with?

 

[Janicholson]

Smooth windup is not good! It should be an exciting bang I am up to speed in .3 seconds. Many large sparks and excitement. I think it is not correct. Jim

 

[Janicholson]

Smooth windup will not spin out the drive either. Jim

 

[rustred]

its a common practice to bench them. i do it when i give one a going over. it tests the soleniod that way. and them old 6 volt starters with the bendix i also test them with 6 volt. you are looking for a good kick of the starter drive and a full rpm wind up and hum in the 12 volt ones. like about 2 seconds worth not hold it connected to 12 volt. its a pretty good indication the starter will work. the drive u can also tell by hand by turning it to see if it catches, and by a wiggle of the drive gear, just the basic though.

 

[Kelly in tx]

I disagree respectfully with matthies. Perhaps some six volt starters don't do well with 12 volts, but I've run old Farmalls for many years using 12 volts on the six volt starters. kelly

 

[old-9]

I do not know about all starters/bendix . However do not do that with an old Ford starter, the bendix will extend and are ,lets say are difficult to retract.Yes you can install with the bendix extended but will be more difficult. So on a Ford starter remove the bendix before testing.

 

[rustred]

I totally agree with him. DO NOT bench test a 6 volt with 12 volts! Probably throw the armature winding off. Using 12 volts on a 6 volt on a tractor is a different situation.