Starter Drive needed?

[aboyandhisdog]

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.� About every 6-8 attempts to start, it will not engauge and just makes a very loud screech.� (Bill, I think you have heard this).� The motor works fine otherwise.� Is the problem the "starter drive"? http://walcks4wd.com/starter-drive-for-m24162-l-f-h.html� �And 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.� Any problem to keep using a 6v starter on a 12v system?� Seems to work just fine.� �

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!

[athawk11]

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.� The repair to the MDU-7004 was a nightmare.� There were hidden lock rings that were difficult to get to.� I really needed� 3 hands.�

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

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

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

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.� �While open, clean and lube it. You may be surprised how dirty they get inside.

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

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

[aboyandhisdog]

Tim, very helpful.  Thank you!