Electric Starter issue CA77 Dream

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:43 am

My electric starter does not work. I DO have 12V at the terminal when I hit the start button. I pulled the starter off the engine and the starter DOES spin by hand very easily. I tested to see if I have continuity between GROUND and the Terminal. I should have some continuity between the two right? However, I DO NOT have any continuity. So, my "thinking" is that maybe the terminal wire inside the starter is broken? Is there anything else to "test/check" first before taking it apart?? How do these starters come apart? Remove the 2 screws on the left side? OR the screws on the right side?? I have had auto starters apart before and if you don't do it right, it is a pain to get it back together.

OR should I just find another starter that already works??

Thanks!

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:51 am

Jim - Check the brushes under the band, they're probably stuck. It's unlikely the wire is broken. The brushes are easy to replace if they're worn. You should also clean off the copper commutator while your at it. You could try hooking it up to 12v and with your third hand, rap it with a rubber mallet, sometimes that unsticks them enough to make the motor go. If it has been a chronic problem, there may already be hammer marks on the starter...
-48

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:48 am

THANKS 48!! That "idea" of the brushes was the problem. I pulled the band off and a rubber strip and looked at the copper commutator which wasn't black and had some copper showing. Anyway, I removed the screw to one of the brushes and it wouldn't budge! I put a few drops of WD40 on it and pushed it IN, then pulled out, in, out, in and finally it came all the way out without any damage. I used some crocus cloth on the brush and got it to move in and out in the holder with no jamming. I also used the crocus cloth on the commutator while turning it and that cleaned that up nicely too. I did this for BOTH brushes as both were "STUCK". I did a bench test and the starter turned over very nicely with a battery jumped to it. I will install it back onto the bike and give it the "real" test and post back later.

Thanks for the THOUGHT!! 8^)

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:37 pm

UPDATE: That fixed it! I put the starter back on the bike and it turned it over as it should! STICKY Brushes was the problem. I don't think a hammer would have done the trick as they were STUCK pretty good. That bike has been sitting for years and the dampness probably just settled in on them.

THANKS!