starter rebuild maybe?

[5speed]

the starter on my 1100 started acting up last fall. It would click but not roll the engine over occasionally. (strong battery, clean connections.)
It's also making a wirring (hi tech diagnose here. lol) like the starter drive isn't disengaging.
Is it time for a rebuild or just a good cleaning?

[rcmatt007]

try cleaning. also make sure there is a good ground connection. Make sure to use two wrenches to remove the positive connection on the starter

[5speed]

I like that suggestion Doc..doesn't cost as much.

[Fred Camper]

The carbon buildup inside makes them weak especially when hot.

[pidjones]

And make sure the commutator is clean and the carbon from between contacts is brushed out. Also repack the gear reduction (don't loose anything including the shims).

[boogie red]

I did the same thing, I rebuilt a lot of starters and alternators, even AC compressors back in the day that's what you did at the GM dealer before everything was an assembly replacement, but anyway I found out that thing didn't want to come apart very easy stuck with some kind of whatever they use, then trying to finesse it back exactly to get a just-right was a challenge, cleaned and Polished everything Lube is always important to lube Lube keep moving anyway damn thing worked out good it can be done

[5speed]

boogie..I'm with you. rebuilt many a starter and alternator when I was a poor teenager that couldn't afford a rebuilt one..
even swapped the factory alternator in my volvo for a gm one because brushes for the volvo one were $75..and that was in 1981..

[boogie red]

Hey 5-speed, that's very cool man, did very similar, in 81 I was turning wrenches at Oldsmobile, attention to detail, everything we built was better than anything you could buy reman!
I kept everything running around here picking from a little junk oh, oops I mean Salvage LOL yard behind my shop that I built up from scrapping! anyway good stuff, keep it up, love stories, life is good

[Sidecar Bob]

It's also making a wirring (hi tech diagnose here. lol) like the starter drive isn't disengaging.

In case you didn't already know, unlike car starter motors, this one doesn't have a Bendix drive or anything else similar. The starter motor is only a motor and a gear train, coupled to the engine by a starter clutch inside the engine that is a one way device that only engages when the starter motor is turning faster than the engine.
If you press the start button and hear a whir before the engine is turned by the motor (or instead of the motor turning the engine) the starter clutch is not engaging properly and needs to be addressed before permanent damage occurs.
I don't know what would cause a whir after the engine starts.

[jdvorchak]

The only thing I can think of why the whir sound after engine start is the solenoid or start button is sticking ON. Both are easily cleaned with lacquer thinner or electrical contact cleaner. DO NOT USE WD-40 on electrical contacts.

[Rednaxs60]

Rebuilt the starter on my '85 three years ago after the new replacement crapped out. Good info on the forums regarding this. Found a lot of brush dust inside:

20170112_201801.jpg (140.71 KiB) Viewed 487 times

Got replacement brushes from a local alt shop. Once cleaned up worked a treat. When/if you take the starter apart, there is a locating dowel, very small that can come out. Be careful not to lose:

Starter Driving Gears - 1.jpg (126.49 KiB) Viewed 487 times

Took the starter completely apart and cleaned, still working well.

[Sidecar Bob]

I'd be very careful using something as flammable as lacquer thinner to clean something where sparks may occur, not to mention that it can dissolve some plastics. Far better to invest in proper electrical contact cleaner.

[boogie red]

My experience has been that Staters make whir, hum noises, sometimes, a lot of times they're just noisy and will calm down once to charge rate stabilizes, are the times there's a problem rutro, yeah that started Drive is one way roller clutch, they have similar in automatic transmissions, of course if that thing's got a problem then you got to pull the engine back cover off yeehaw

[5speed]

Rebuilt the starter on my '85 three years ago after the new replacement crapped out. Good info on the forums regarding this. Found a lot of brush dust inside:20170112_201801.jpgGot replacement brushes from a local alt shop. Once cleaned up worked a treat. When/if you take the starter apart, there is a locating dowel, very small that can come out. Be careful not to lose:Starter Driving Gears - 1.jpgTook the starter completely apart and cleaned, still working well.

thank you for the tip. the starter is on the list for today or tomorrow.