Starter 70 cj5

HELP HELP HELP!!!

I bought a 70 cj5 with 36k original miles on it about 3 months back or so(pics below)... F-head 134, 3spd... I drove it home from Charlotte to Raleigh NC(3 hour drive) with no problems at all.

Here's the problem. First time I took it out after that I went to the car wash to spray it down. Upon leaving, I cranked the engine and got only the sound of the starter motor spinning.... Pop started the jeep and got it home without any problem. I took the starter to a guy here in town and had him rebuild the starter since I couldn't find anybody to get a remaned one from. $175 later I got it back and put it in. Cranked on the first try, just like when I brought it home.

Today I got my 32s TSLs on it today and I went to start it... guess what sound I heard... starter motor again. :?

I am going to take the starter back to the guy that fixed it before being that it has only been just over a month since he did a total rebuild on it(pics below)

Am I missing something? Common problem? I don't want to keep pumping money into the starter if that isn't what is causing my frustration. Anything I should check????


Here is the jeep with the TSLs


Here is the rebuilt starter

 

I called the guy that rebuilt the starter and he said that it is most likely the pin that holds the armature. Who ever had the starter before me put a solid steel pin in instead of the springed pin?

He said that it MIGHT be the armature but the way that it sounded it was most likely the pin.

When it cranked for the last time using the starter, it sounded like the starter gear did not retract after hitting the flywheel.

Hope it isn't the ring gear!!!

Thanks for the help!

 

If you have a divot in the flywheel ring gear, there is an easy test. Next time the starter squeals, put the Jeep in top gear and move it forward about a foot (key off), or get it rolling and bump the clutch a little (key off). This will rotate the engine slightly and move the flywheel to an undamaged spot. The starter should now work normally, if the ring gear is damaged.

 

I tried starting the engine three different times after being pop-started and moved with the same result, but I will try advancing the ring gear this afternoon. Always something!

 

are you sure it is not the solonoid, you will get a spin without engagement if it is not working correctly.

 

I took the starter out last night and it is the pin that holds the armature. The gear on the end is also worn down about 1/4". My alternator guy said that he suspects the ring gear as well... I REALLLLLYYYYYY don't want to or know how to take the engine out. Plus I don't have the equipment to do it.

Matt

 

just got back from the alternator shop and we took the whole thing apart. The spring pin through the armature was bent and snapped off and the gear has to be replaced.

He wants me to bring the jeep by once the starter goes back in so he can check the timing. From what he told me the jeep is meant to be run at 8 degrees ahead and that who ever had it before me may have set the timing too far ahead.

 

Sounds like he knows something about Jeeps, might be a good friend to have.