perkins 4107 starter motor

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cormorant

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Hi, my boat had a recon starter motor fitted (Perkins 4107) a year ago, the engine has now not been started for 9 months or so due to other repairs. If I turn the ignition key I get a small clack, if I short out the big and little terminal on the solenoid I get a big clack, but that is all. I removed the starter motor and checked that the starter dog slides freely, it does. It's the type with lever actuation rather than inertia.
Now I am worried as I noticed at one point that the ignition had been left on for a period, perhaps a week, will this have caused damage? As I have shorepower the batteries didn't go flat on me.
I might add the engine turns over freely using a spanner, but as the starter motor is not turning yet....
 
Try a bench test with a good battery and jump leads. Earth lead to casing and pos lead to small solenoid terminal; this will provide a click and show tha solenoid is operating. Pos lead to large post on solenoid should turn the starter. It could be a poor connection between the solenoid post and starter windings ( braided lead goes through casing). The other problem could be your batteries. Does your shore power keep the batteries topped up. If they are below 12.2 volts with no load then they could be deemed discharged and will not provide the initial output required. Other than that check all connections are good and tight to prevent volt drop.
 
I cant see that leaving the ign on will damage your starter. The tip about good battery and connections is of course valid.
Also see my starter problems below. This time I have goosed it proper by sinking it but before this I have had problems, made worse, some say, by a fairly complex starter in a marine environment. Welcome to the club!!
Good luck
 
The clacks suggest that the solenoid is operating but that the contacts my be dirty and not "making". The smaller clack when the key is turned suggests there may be some resistance in the wiring between battery and switch or switch and solenoid.

There are two large terminals on the solenoid? Short those cautiously with something substantial and the motor should spin but not engage with the engine.

If it does not could be brushes or commutator. or a bad connection to the battery. Check the negative as well!
 
Hi thanks everyone, , battery is at 13.5v no load, if I short the 2 big terminals out with a hefty screwdriver I get some sparking but motor not turning. I can maybe try with a different battery and jump leads tomorrow. If the solenoid is removed does this give me access to any further contacts that may need cleaning?
 
[ QUOTE ]
If the solenoid is removed does this give me access to any further contacts that may need cleaning?

[/ QUOTE ] No the important contacts are in the solenoid, the other ends of those connections in effect,

Subject to the battery being Ok and at 13.5V (presumably fairly soon after charging) it sounds as though it might be and all good connections including the negative it now points to the motor being faulty. The next thing to look at I think is the brush-gear and commutator. Even a feeble battery should have spun the motor with no load. It turns by hand I hope!

There may be some relevant info in the W'shop manual
 
Thanks, I would be suprised if the motor is faulty after only 1 yr, and having been charged £500 for a Lucas recon when I was stuck in Weymouth...I hope not anyway. The motor does not appear to have any way of turning it by hand, i.e. no quadrant and is unusual in that it mounts on the rear of the bellhousing and hangs over the gearbox, an unusual type I was told.
 
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