Alternator removal - serious PITA
- Thread starter kcjaz
- Start date
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A very long screwdriver is apparently the kick starter mod
I wonder if the preventative maintenance for this is pre-wiring for easier solenoid bypass, or maybe moving the solenoid into an easier to interact with location, like the firewall.A very long screwdriver is apparently the kick starter mod
I too worry when I really in BFE about stuff like this. A starter failure is basically the same as a smoked engine. Not going anywhere.
kcjaz
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- Thread starter
- #24
So I will be replacing my starter as part of my 150k PM. After the alternator, I can’t wait to see the joy ahead of me getting to the starter. I haven’t looked for the solenoid yet. The idea of relocating it may be a good one if it’s really hard to get to.
please educate me on a solenoid bypass. Is it the solenoid that mostly fails and if so all you need to do is get power to the starter?
please educate me on a solenoid bypass. Is it the solenoid that mostly fails and if so all you need to do is get power to the starter?
From what I've gleaned in a couple threads, yeah it's typically the solenoid. Any yes, the bypass method is to jump the starter by bypassing the solenoid. I've read 'use a long screwdriver', but maybe we can cook up a 'preventative' solution, maybe when replacing the starter, which we all will do eventually, put in some wires for the bypass, or move the solenoid . . .
afgman786
SILVER Star
I'm glad to see someone else that worries about their starter a little too much. I'm at the point where if I know I'm only going into a store for a quick minute that I leave the car running and manually lock the doors.
Looks like the starter solenoid has a plunger on it.
We could still put some wires in place to more easily enable the bypass.
We could still put some wires in place to more easily enable the bypass.
Can you see what the 'hidden' end of the solenoid is doing with that whitish plastic pin? The copper cable (assuming positive) could be lengthened, but I'm curious what magic is going on inside the bracket that is joining to the starter. Have to admit it is one part I haven't spent too much time with.
Seems likely. Sure you don't want to pop those 2 10 mm nuts off and find out
All modern starters rely on the solenoid to engage the starter drive with the ring gear of the flywheel. When the solenoid is energized, it operates a plunger or lever which forces the pinion into mesh with the ring gear. The pinion incorporates a one way clutch so that when the engine starts and runs it will not attempt to drive the starter motor at excessive RPM.
Some older starter designs, such as the Bendix drive, used the rotational inertia of the pinion to force it along a helical groove cut into the starter drive-shaft, and thus no mechanical linkage with the solenoid was required.[2]
No reason to doubt wikipedia, no reason to disassemble, and no remote solenoids for us. Bypassing the contactor seems to be the way to go.
Some older starter designs, such as the Bendix drive, used the rotational inertia of the pinion to force it along a helical groove cut into the starter drive-shaft, and thus no mechanical linkage with the solenoid was required.[2]
No reason to doubt wikipedia, no reason to disassemble, and no remote solenoids for us. Bypassing the contactor seems to be the way to go.
Maybe have a pre-bent long (emergency) screw driver or bar installed somewhere under the hood.
kcjaz
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- Thread starter
- #36
I assume that when people talk about the “long screwdriver” they mean bypassing the solenoid and getting power directly to the starter motor. I understand this when all the solenoid is doing is switching on the power to the starter but in our case, the starter has this plunger thing that appears to be the mechanism that engages the gear on the starter with the flywheel. I don’t get how bypassing the solenoid will do anything on a 200.
I think bypassing the contacts (which are the wear item) and then the solenoid engages and the gear is extended and driven.
kcjaz
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- Thread starter
- #38
I was looking at the starter (took me 15 minutes to find it even knowing kind of where it was). Seems like it would be possible to run wires from the solenoid terminals that you use the screwdriver to jumper, up to a location that is easily accessible under the hood. You could then use the screwdriver there or potentially get fancier with switch or something.
I'm very interested in this conversation. I too have heard the "long screwdriver" comment but confess that I'm ignorant about what to do with that long screwdriver other than beat on the engine and hope that helps.
A nice write-up on how to start the motor when things go wrong would be very helpful to the neophytes here.
I'm very interested in this conversation. I too have heard the "long screwdriver" comment but confess that I'm ignorant about what to do with that long screwdriver other than beat on the engine and hope that helps.
Can't resist and not post this:
