My Willys 3A and 3B Community

TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Electrical Systems => Topic started by: aboyandhisdog on August 21, 2014, 11:21:48 AM

Title: Starter Drive needed?
Post by: aboyandhisdog on August 21, 2014, 11:21:48 AM: First off, not sure if this should go in this electrical section or in the tech talk section, so Admin. please move if needed.

I have the MZ4162 starter.ï¿½ About every 6-8 attempts to start, it will not engauge and just makes a very loud screech.ï¿½ (Bill, I think you have heard this).ï¿½ The motor works fine otherwise.ï¿½ Is the problem the "starter drive"? http://walcks4wd.com/starter-drive-for-m24162-l-f-h.htmlï¿½ ï¿½And how hard would this be to replace?

Also, my 3A is 12 volt but I have no idea if the starter was changed from 6 volt or not.ï¿½ Any problem to keep using a 6v starter on a 12v system?ï¿½ Seems to work just fine.ï¿½ ï¿½

BTW, we did inspect the ring gear and it is in great shape so am pretty confident the problem doesn't lay there.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Starter Drive needed?
Post by: athawk11 on August 22, 2014, 06:39:09 PM: Hey Tom,

I refrained from posting because I haven't replaced the starter drive on the MZ-4162.

However, I have replaced the Bendix on 2- MZ-4113 starters and I have repaired the MDU-7004 starter drive that comes on a CJ5 starter.ï¿½ The repair to the MDU-7004 was a nightmare.ï¿½ There were hidden lock rings that were difficult to get to.ï¿½ I really neededï¿½ 3 hands.ï¿½

Replacing the Bendix on the two MZ-4113 starters was a piece of cake.ï¿½ The hardest part was trying to hold back the motor brushes while sliding the motor assembly back into the housing.ï¿½ Again, 3 hands would make it a snap.

If the starter drive engages 7 out of 8 times, then it's probably okay.ï¿½ A screech sound is new to me.ï¿½ Perhaps the starter just needs to be cleaned and lubricated.ï¿½ A screech sounds may be a lack of lubrication, but I think you would hear it during every start.ï¿½

Maybe one or more of the brushes are worn enough that the brush holder is making contact with the motor communicator.ï¿½ But again, I think the screech would be heard more consistently. ï¿½

Perhaps there is some foreign debris in the housing that occasionally gets caught between the housing and the internal spinning parts.

I think if it were me, I would carefully take the starter apart and inspect it.ï¿½ ï¿½While open, clean and lube it. You may be surprised how dirty they get inside.

My MZ-4113 starters are 6 volts.ï¿½ Both are on Willys Jeeps that have been converted to 12v.ï¿½ They perform fine.ï¿½ While starting, you just don't want to engage them for long periods of time.ï¿½ If mine doesn't start withing the first few seconds, I stop, then start the process again.ï¿½

Oh, I would add...If your starter reallys spins quickly...like a bat outa hell, then it may still be 6v. If it spins a little slowly, like the battery is in need of replacement, it may have been converted to 12v.

Tim
Title: Re: Starter Drive needed?
Post by: aboyandhisdog on August 22, 2014, 07:11:13 PM: Tim, very helpful. Thank you!