Starter Question

[Scruff]

I have a small problem that I am trying to resolve. Is it possible for a starter to gradually die or do they just quit all at once?

When I depress the gas pedal, sometimes it turns over and other times it just gives off a fuel pump sound. If you hold the pedal down, none of the belts turn. Pump it two or three times and it finally kicks off. Once the belts turn it has no trouble running.

I think its either the battery or starter but I cant put my finger on which one... I dont want to replace both if I dont need to. I did try to hook a battery charger to it and got it to do the same thing but I didnt leave it hooked up to recharge.

I would think that after driving it around it would stop if it was the battery but I dont know...

[DOOmsman]

Is the starter turning and slipping so the
belt doesn't move.

[Scruff]

no - nothing turns. No belts, no starter... nothing.

just makes a buzzing fuel pump sound - kinda like it wants to turn over but doesnt.

Maybe it is the battery going bad and it doesnt have enough juice to get it all turning...

[ace_ripper]

Originally Posted by Scruff

no - nothing turns. No belts, no starter... nothing.

just makes a buzzing fuel pump sound - kinda like it wants to turn over but doesnt.

Maybe it is the battery going bad and it doesnt have enough juice to get it all turning...

A low battery could cause your symptoms. It could also be old worn out brushes in the starter. Check your battery charge and connections first. If the battery is good and it still does it check the brushes. There should be rubber inspection panels on the starter. Remove them and check to see how much brush you have left in there. If you can reach the brush check to see that they move freely. I've seen enough brush dust build up to prevent them from sliding freely causing arky sparky and fry the commutator.

[Scruff]

ok - I will check the battery first. The hours on the cart is only 235 but it is an 05 so the battery could be shot.

[Dave Box]

Connect a voltmeter between A1 on the starter and the battery negative. When you try to start you should see ~12 volts. If you do and the starter does not turn you probably need to replace the brushes. If you don't you might have a solenoid problem. (This assumes that the battery is charged, if it isn't you need to slap yourself and then charge it).

[Scruff]

ok - i am getting old and my dang eyes aren't working. The starter is spinning the belt is not. It need to be replaced or tightened. I guess replaced since I just found three good sized slices in it. The bolts dont look like they have slides so is there a quick way to do this?

[Scruff]

I found the two bolts to tighten the belt - thanks for the help everyone. Problem is fixed.