MAINTENEANCE AND REPAIR OF
STARTING SYSTEMS
TOPIC 5
OBJECTIVES
• Explain the operation of the starting system
• Perform a starter check on a vehicle
• Perform basic maintenance on the motor of a
starter.
Staring System Principles
• Starting system uses battery power and an
electric motor to crank the engine for starting,
SO EXPLAIN THE OPERATION OF THE STARTING SYSTEM
5.1
5.1.1 Explain safety procedures when working
on a starter
5.1.2 Explain the different types of starter
motors
5.1.3 Describe the electric circuit.
5.1.4Explain the components of the starter
motor.
SO Explain safety procedures when working on a starter
5.1.1
The main safety precaution when working on a
starter is to;
a) Switch off the ignition?
b) Remove wire from starter solenoid?
c) Disconnect the battery?
d) Wear appropriate PPE?
SO Explain the different types of starter
5.1.2 motors
Starters are classified by the type of pinion gear
engagement,
Two Types:
a) Moveable pole shoe starter
A lever moves the pinion towards the ring gear
b) Solenoid starter motor
Solenoid creates a magnetic field pulls on the
pinion gear to engage with the ring gear
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 1.
Explain the main safety precaution when
working on the starter system.
Name two types of starters.
Explain the difference between these starters.
SO Describe the electric circuit.
5.1.3
Circuit components:
Battery
Battery cable
Switch
Starter housing
Armature
Field coils
Solenoid
SO Describe the electric circuit.
continue
5.1.3
Battery- Source of electric energy
Battery cable- link battery and starter solenoid
Switch- Activate the starter system
Starter housing- Holds the armature, brushes, field coils and
armature bearings.
Armature- High torque turning power
Field coils- Create a strong magnetic field to turn the
armature.
Solenoid- Pulls and engage starter pinion gear with the ring
gear.
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 2.
A starter is called an electrical-mechanical device.
True or False?
SO Explain the components of the
5.1.4 starter motor.
Components:
Starter housing - Holds the armature, brushes, field coils
and armature bearings.
Armature - turning power
Field coils - Create a strong magnetic field to turn the
armature.
Brushes – Carry current to revolving armature.
Commutator - Keep motor turning by controlling the current
Solenoid - Pulls and engage starter pinion gear with
Pinion gear – engages with the engine ring gear.
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 3.
What is the purpose of the brushes.
a) Keep the motor running by controlling the current.
b) Carry current to revolving armature.
c) Activate the starter system.
d) Source of electric energy
SO
PERFORM A STARTER CHECK ON A VEHICLE
5.2
5.2.1 Do a visual inspection of obvious faults.
5.2.2 Crank starter and measure battery voltage
drop.
5.2.3 Measure starting current trough system.
5.2.4 Interpret voltage drop and starter current
and draw conclusions.
SO Do a visual inspection of obvious
5.2.1 faults.
Check battery voltage
Check starter wiring
and connections,
Check starter
mountings and bolts.
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 4.
An ammeter measures.
a) Voltage drop during engine cranking
b) The integrity of the starter wiring
c) The current draw during engine cranking
d) The condition of the brushes
SO Crank starter and measure battery voltage drop.
5.2.2
Connect multi-meter
to battery.
Crank starter and measure battery voltage
drop
SO Measure starting current trough
5.2.3 system.
Connect an ammeter.
Disable engine.
Crank engine for 15
seconds and note
voltage and current
readings.
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 5.
A starter is called an electrical-mechanical
device.
True or False?
SO Interpret voltage drop and starter current and draw conclusions.
5.2,4
High current reading
Starter motor most probably
faulty.
Remove starter and inspect.
STARTING SYSTEM
• Question 6.
• A starter high current draw test usually
indicates:
a) a discharged battery
b) engine problems
c) starter problems
d) high resistance in positive battery cable
SO PERFORM BASIC MAINTENANCE ON THE
5.3 MOTOR OF A STARTER.
ADHERE TO SAFETY PRECEDURES
• Remove starter from engine.
• Disassemble starter.
• Inspect components for serviceability.
• Replace parts.
• Assemble starter and test its performance.
• Refit starter motor.
SO
Remove starter from engine.
5.3.1
Remove battery negative cable.
Disconnect all wiring from starter motor
Unscrew and remove the two starter
mounting bolts
Remove starter motor from vehicle.
Replace a starter
STARTING SYSTEM
• Question 7
The starter motor is normally situated:
a) Towards the front of the engine?
b) At the rear of the engine close to the
flywheel?
c) Bolted to the bell housing?
d) Towards the rear of the engine?
SO
5.3.2 Disassemble starter.
NOTE: Mark all parts.
Remove solenoid
Remove front and rear end plates
Remove starter clutch
Remove brushes
Disassemble a starter
STARTING SYSTEM
• Question 8.
When an engine starts, the pinion gear is
disengaged by”
a) Solenoid return spring
b) Solenoid plunger
c) Magnetic switch
d) Over- running clutch
SO
Inspect components for serviceability.
5.3.3
Check armature: Isolation and ground
problems.
Inspect field coils: Isolation and ground
problems.
Inspect solenoid magnetic switch: No binding
Inspect and test starter clutch. (Bendix):
Inspect tooth wear and slippage.
Check brushes: Standard length 16 mm.
SO
5.3.4 Replace parts.
Conclusions from inspection will determine
serviceability of the different components.
Replace components that do not comply with
manufacture specifications.
STARTING SYSTEM
Question 9.
Checking and inspecting the starter
components enquire only:
a) Visual checks only
b) Diagnosing the components
c) Testing the components
d) Using a multi-meter for testing continuity
SO
Assemble starter and test its performance.
5.3.5
Different starter tests.
Pull-in-test
Hold-in-test
Clutch pinion return test
Pinion clearance
No load test
Test car starter
STARTING SYSTEM
• Question 10.
An open fault in the hold-in winding of a starter
solenoid switch will most likely cause:
a) the battery to run down.
b) the solenoid to move in and out, or chatter.
c) the starter drive to remain engaged after the engine
is running.
d) excessively high current draw from the starter .
SO
Refit starter motor.
5.3.6
Refit starter and secure all mounting bolts
and nuts.
Refit all wiring
Refit battery negative cable
Start engine and observe starter
performance.
STARTING SYSTEM
• Question 11.
Refitting the starter motor after repairs requires:
a) Submit a written report
b) Testing the operation of the starter motor
c) Order new parts
STARTING SYSTEM
Any Questions??
THANK YOU
