Does too big of a battery harm the starter?

pthomas · 11-01-2012, 11:52 AM

Ok. I will give it a shot.

Question: Would it act this way only when hot? Does that make sense? Also, any connection to the squealing belt when it dies?

kyerik · 11-01-2012, 03:46 PM

The belt should not squeal- tighten it up a little bit.

Wiggle each of the cables the next time it happens and see if it begins spinning.

You can also tap the starter housing lightly with a hammer handle- if the starter brushes are going bad, it will start cranking when you tap it (the shock helps them settle down lower in their holders and make better contact with the commutator).

pthomas · 11-01-2012, 08:44 PM

Well, I think I have it figured out. I did take the forward / reverse controller off and checked the contacts. They look pretty worn. I cleaned them off and out it back together. It didn't solve the problem, but when I was cranking it in forward I noticed the cable going to the starter was smoking. I checked and it was worn through the insulation and welding itself to the engine.

I put tape the cable for a temporary fix and moved it so that it was no longer touching the engine.

That seems to have fixed it.

I don't understand why it would run in reverse and not in forward though.

Thanks so much to everyone for the help.

kyerik · 11-02-2012, 06:46 AM

My starter/generator has three cables and I would assume that only 2 are used at a time. Perhaps the cable with bad insulation was only used for spinning the engine forward and was not energized in reverse.

pthomas · 11-02-2012, 09:45 PM

I believe mine also has three cables. That makes sense that two of the three determine which way it is going to spin (forward or backward).

I think the short was also causing the ground wire to get extremely hot.

I haven't tried the cart again today, but I am pretty sure it is fine now. Thanks again for the help.

s1120 · 11-25-2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthomas

I don't understand why it would run in reverse and not in forward though.

Thanks so much to everyone for the help.

My guess is that going in reverse moves the engine in a ways that allows the chaffed cable to be pulled off the engine case. When that happands your short is gone.

pthomas · 11-25-2012, 02:04 PM

In the end, I am not sure why reverse worked and forward did not, but with the help of this forum I was able to find that the insulation was worn off and shorting out. With it taped up and moved away from the engine it has been flawless for almost a month!

I should replace all of the wires. Anyone know of an affordable kit they want to recommend?

racin161 · 11-26-2012, 05:05 AM

Shout out to SCOTTYB's CARTS UNLIMITED site sponsor maybe he can help.

LOU

pthomas · 11-26-2012, 11:08 PM

I'll take a look. Thanks!

11-01-2012, 11:52 AM	#11
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? Ok. I will give it a shot. Question: Would it act this way only when hot? Does that make sense? Also, any connection to the squealing belt when it dies?
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11

11-01-2012, 03:46 PM	#12
kyerik Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South central IL Posts: 287	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? The belt should not squeal- tighten it up a little bit. Wiggle each of the cables the next time it happens and see if it begins spinning. You can also tap the starter housing lightly with a hammer handle- if the starter brushes are going bad, it will start cranking when you tap it (the shock helps them settle down lower in their holders and make better contact with the commutator).

11-01-2012, 08:44 PM	#13
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? Well, I think I have it figured out. I did take the forward / reverse controller off and checked the contacts. They look pretty worn. I cleaned them off and out it back together. It didn't solve the problem, but when I was cranking it in forward I noticed the cable going to the starter was smoking. I checked and it was worn through the insulation and welding itself to the engine. I put tape the cable for a temporary fix and moved it so that it was no longer touching the engine. That seems to have fixed it. I don't understand why it would run in reverse and not in forward though. Thanks so much to everyone for the help.
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11

11-02-2012, 06:46 AM	#14
kyerik Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South central IL Posts: 287	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? My starter/generator has three cables and I would assume that only 2 are used at a time. Perhaps the cable with bad insulation was only used for spinning the engine forward and was not energized in reverse.

11-02-2012, 09:45 PM	#15
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? I believe mine also has three cables. That makes sense that two of the three determine which way it is going to spin (forward or backward). I think the short was also causing the ground wire to get extremely hot. I haven't tried the cart again today, but I am pretty sure it is fine now. Thanks again for the help.
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11

Today
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11-25-2012, 02:04 PM	#17
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? In the end, I am not sure why reverse worked and forward did not, but with the help of this forum I was able to find that the insulation was worn off and shorting out. With it taped up and moved away from the engine it has been flawless for almost a month! I should replace all of the wires. Anyone know of an affordable kit they want to recommend?
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11

11-26-2012, 05:05 AM	#18
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? Shout out to SCOTTYB's CARTS UNLIMITED site sponsor maybe he can help. LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

11-26-2012, 11:08 PM	#19
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Does too big of a battery harm the starter? I'll take a look. Thanks!
pthomas Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11

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