Jubilee starter problem

[Brown Co. guy]

My Jubilee (12v conversion) started right up when I went out to put on the scraper blade, even though I haven't used it since early summer, but it died suddenly (like I turned off the switch) after running about a minute or so, and wouldn't restart. Gas is flowing OK, so I went to check the spark, but now the starter only spins, won't engage the flywheel. I went through all the connections to make sure I had good contact, even tried jumping with my Jeep, but still the same... starter spins, but doesn't catch the flywheel. Also tried turning the crank/flywheel a few degrees manually, no change. Removed the starter, and the starter gear seemed to move the way it should when I energized the starter. Reinstalled the starter, still the same problem. The headlights come on nice and bright, if that means anything.

Does this sound like something is wrong with the starter, or should I be looking at something else? I've had the tractor for about 15 years and it's been pretty dependable ...until now. I'm not very good at troubleshooting, so I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks!

 

[QcJim]

Is it possible that your ring gear is slipping on the flywheel? I have had this happen and corrected the problem by spot welding four spots through the starter opening.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Brownie.......a sudden stop is usually a LOOSE connection. In yer case, I'd suspect the ignition points. (gap = 0.025")

Iff'n yer starter spins and yer headlites stay brite, guess what??? Its yer starter BENDIX. Recommend the NEW MODERN "clutch" style Bendix drive. $40 (cheap) .........Dell

 

[souNdguy]

ditto what qc said. is the ring gear slipping on the flywheel?

past that.. is spark good?

fuel flow thru carb bowl good?

post back

 

[trouttman]

(quoted from post at 14:43:33 12/29/11) My Jubilee (12v conversion) started right up when I went out to put on the scraper blade, even though I haven't used it since early summer, but it died suddenly (like I turned off the switch) after running about a minute or so, and wouldn't restart. Gas is flowing OK, so I went to check the spark, but now the starter only spins, won't engage the flywheel. I went through all the connections to make sure I had good contact, even tried jumping with my Jeep, but still the same... starter spins, but doesn't catch the flywheel. Also tried turning the crank/flywheel a few degrees manually, no change. Removed the starter, and the starter gear seemed to move the way it should when I energized the starter. Reinstalled the starter, still the same problem. The headlights come on nice and bright, if that means anything.

Does this sound like something is wrong with the starter, or should I be looking at something else? I've had the tractor for about 15 years and it's been pretty dependable ...until now. I'm not very good at troubleshooting, so I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks!

Brown Co

You said you have not used the tractor since early summer. I would check for a weak battery and clean the battery terminals, clean the inside of the terminals and the post, bright and shinny. If it has been sitting that long it is probably to weak to engage the starter, it will spin but not engage and turn the engine.

I have had a ring gear slipping problem, but I would check the battery and connections first.



You can check the ring gear by removing the starter and put a mark on the gear and flywheel. Then put you trans in neutral and take a big screwdriver or pry bar and turn the flywheel through the starter hole if it is slipping when it comes back around the marks will not be in line. My ring gear would not slip until the tractor was hot, start fine when cold.

trouttman

 

[Brown Co. guy]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

Turns out that it was the starter drive after all. Upon closer inspection I found that one of the tabs had broken off the spring (see photo)... I should have seen it the first time I had the starter out.

How difficult is it to remove/replace the starter drive assembly?

 

[36 Coupe]

buy a new spring.