07 Starter Alignment

[rhollermann]

My sled has 7600 miles on it, and has had the ECU starting updates, but not a new starter. Currently, when I turn the key to the start position, the starter turns, but doesn't engage the engine. After reading a lot on this site, I checked the starter casing bolts, and sure enough, they were finger loose.

My question is, are the lose bolts, and possible magnet missalignment the issue that I'm facing? If so, I see the green line on the case of the starter, but what does it index with? Also, and I'm sure there is no good way, how do you actually get the starter out of the sled? Can I cut off that unused mounting tab on the engine?

Thanks!
Ross

 

[greenthumb]

My question is, are the lose bolts, and possible magnet missalignment the issue that I'm facing?
Thanks!
Ross

No
There is a clutch in the engine. That is likely where the problem is.
How does the end of the starter shaft look?

 

[rhollermann]

I didn't pay close attention to the end of the shaft, but it didn't appear to be damaged. Is it possible to get to the clutch in the engine without removing the engine?

 

[cannondale27]

If starter is not aligned it is possible for it to actually turn backwards which could be your trouble.You can hear it turning?The green line lines up with small protrusions on the aluminum ends.

 

[rhollermann]

I can here it turn, and I actually hooked 12V to it with it out of the engine, and it rotates. Do you know which direction it should rotate when looking at the end of the shaft? I took a closer look at the starter shaft, and it appears that there is definitely no damage. How do I rotate the case in relation to the aluminum ends? I couldn't turn it by hand..

 

[cannondale27]

Should turn with bolts loose.So is it lined up?

 

[rhollermann]

No, the green line is not lined up with the indices. It's probably about 40-50 degrees off. If I could actually get the starter out, I could probably turn it by hand...Do you have any thoughts on which way it is supposed to rotate?

 

[cannondale27]

It will rotate either way.Remove the starter.Two ways to do it.Either take front end off or cut off protusion thats in way.

 

[rhollermann]

I meant which direction does the starter itself rotate? My rotates clockwise when viewed from the end of the shaft that goes into the engine when 12V is applied. I will cut off the mounting tab to get it out and see if this solves the problem. Thanks for the help!

 

[cannondale27]

I really dont know which way it turns but you need to line it up either way.Dont forget to Loctite the two bolts that sandwich it together.

 

[rhollermann]

Problem solved. I cut off the unused mounting tab, removed the starter, realigned it, applied Loctite, and everything seems to function as normal. Thanks for the help!

 

[cannondale27]

Awesome!

 

[rocklong]

I put loctite on mine while it was still in the sled. What a pain in the #*$&@ that was!!! Hopefully I never have to do it again.