Is this a starter motor problem, or ground?

[svxsubaru1]

About one month ago i took apart my starter motor and replaced the contacts because i was having a hard time getting the starter to run sometimes. That seemed to work perfectley for about 2 months, where i have the same problem as i did before, it will start about 80% of the time with no problem, but the other times it just makes the tick sound when i try to turn it over. SOmetimes if i hold the key to start position it will eventulley statrt after a couple of seconds. I know the battery is good and charged up because when it does turn over after a couple of tries it cranks the engine over very quickley, if it desides to work, but other times it just wont work. Should i completley rebuild the starter or should i look for wiring problems. Also my cars a 5spd and the donor car had 220,000 + miles on it so it may have been the origanal starter from donor car that I am using on my car right now. Thanks

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by svxsubaru1

About one month ago i took apart my starter motor and replaced the contacts because i was having a hard time getting the starter to run sometimes. That seemed to work perfectley for about 2 months, where i have the same problem as i did before, it will start about 80% of the time with no problem, but the other times it just makes the tick sound when i try to turn it over. SOmetimes if i hold the key to start position it will eventulley statrt after a couple of seconds. I know the battery is good and charged up because when it does turn over after a couple of tries it cranks the engine over very quickley, if it desides to work, but other times it just wont work. Should i completley rebuild the starter or should i look for wiring problems. Also my cars a 5spd and the donor car had 220,000 + miles on it so it may have been the origanal starter from donor car that I am using on my car right now. Thanks

Not sure that contacts you replaced. Got to be one of three things.
1. Wiring problem, in the switch to solenoid wiring. Usually fixed by fitting a relay.
2. Starter solenoid contacts burnt. Solenoid clicks. but wont turn on the starter motor. Replace.
3. The brushes in the starter motor are worn down too much for the springs to keep contact with the commutator, usually the starter motor makes a grinding sound Overhaul the starter.

Harvey.

[Beav]

Yeah, there's a voltage drop before the starter. It's either going to be the ignition switch or the neutral start (inhibitor) switch. If you do a search you can find a work-around.

What is happening is the voltage drop allows the solenoid to pull back, just not far enough. Mine has been so intermittent that I can't find the source of the problem, that's why I did the relay.

[Electrophil]

Originally Posted by Beav

Yeah, there's a voltage drop before the starter. It's either going to be the ignition switch or the neutral start (inhibitor) switch. If you do a search you can find a work-around.

What is happening is the voltage drop allows the solenoid to pull back, just not far enough. Mine has been so intermittent that I can't find the source of the problem, that's why I did the relay.

What is the relay fix? An additional relay installed controlled by the ignition switch, output to starter?

[SubaSteevo]

Originally Posted by Electrophil

What is the relay fix? An additional relay installed controlled by the ignition switch, output to starter?

Yup, worked great for me!