OT: Starter brushes

[Slowpoke]

What are the results/symptoms of worn out starter brushes?

Thanks

 

[guido]

Hello Slowpoke,

High current draw is one. Bad enough at times to slow crank or no crank at all. Wires get hot too,

Guido.

 

[Steve@Advance]

Usually there are no symptoms until it suddenly goes totally dead.

Then next time it will start normally...

Sometimes a light tap with a hammer will get another start out of it, but be very gentle if it's a permanent magnet motor!

 

[David G]

Guido nailed it, seems like a bad battery, but unlike a bad battery it will continue at same speed.

 

[kevinthefixer]

What symptoms are you having that you suspect worn brushes? Often worn bushings can cause the same symptoms, as can weak battery, corroded terminals, undersized cables, lots of other possibilities.

 

[Slowpoke]

It's a 1982 Honda GL500 motorcycle starter, 82,000 miles. Battery tests 12.5v, drops to 7v on start.
Acts like bad battery, but disconnecting it and using truck battery direct to starter has same results, one or two turns weak turns, then a few tries later, same results. Sometimes will start on half dozen tries.
I ordered a rebuild kit with brushes.

 

[Slowpoke]

Hi Guido,

Exactly.
See my reply above.

Slowpoke

 

[guido]

Hello slowpoke,

You used a volt meter rather then an amp meter. I have been saying on many of my responses: start taking volt readings! You have proved to some non believers that a volts meter is all you need most of the times. Now just drop them brushes in....

Guido.

 

[guido]

Hello slowpoke,

Check the commutator for a short go ground before you open the brush kit. You should get an open circuit- Infinity, like picture #1. Any resistance reading like #2 picture, is not acceptable. Clean the com and the segment's, and you should be good to go,

Guido.

 

[Ozlander]

Very possible for it to have a bad ground both internal and external.
They get wet and it causes problems.