Starter - Reduction Drive Eagle Talon I

DESCRIPTION

Note. Monaco and Premier models are manufactured with either an early or late design. Only late design models are covered in this article. Late design models are equipped with DIS, with engine controller (SBEC) located next to battery. Service procedures for early design models, with engine code Z7X711, are the same as those found in 1990 articles.

The Mitsubishi starter consists of a planetary gear drive and permanent magnets for current induction. The planetary gear drive is splined to both the armature shaft and overrunning clutch. Starter torque is transmitted to the overrunning clutch pinion through the planetary gears, which provide higher rotational speeds. (Scheme 1)

Scheme 1

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. See the TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

STARTER DOES NOT CRANK

1. Ensure battery is fully charged. If starter does not crank engine, ensure solenoid engages. If engaging sound is not heard and headlights remain bright, no voltage exists at starter relay.
2. Check ignition switch for open or voltage drop. If no voltage exists at starter solenoid terminal, inspect solenoid wire for corrosion. Repair as necessary.
3. If engaging sound can be heard and headlights dim when cranking, starter armature is shorted, commutator is defective or brushes are worn. Repair as necessary.
4. If engaging sound can be heard and headlights remain bright when cranking, starter commutator circuit is open. Repair as necessary.

STARTER CRANKS SLOWLY

1. Using a voltmeter, check voltage at solenoid switch battery terminal during cranking. Voltage should be at least 9.5 volts. If voltage is less than 9.5 volts, check for voltage drop between battery and starter solenoid battery terminal.
2. Check voltage at solenoid switch terminal between solenoid and starter. Voltage should read at least 9.5 volts. If voltage is less than 9.5 volts, remove and clean braided brush cable connections.
3. If voltage at solenoid switch terminal is at least 9.5 volts, perform starter no-load test. See «NO-LOAD TEST»(/eagle/talon/i-1989-1994/remont/starter/#starter-reduction-drive__no-load-test) under BENCH TESTING in this article.

STARTER DOES NOT ENGAGE

Using a voltmeter, check voltage at solenoid ignition terminal. Voltage should exist with ignition switch in the START position. No voltage should exist when switch is released. If voltage does not exist, ignition switch is defective or out of adjustment.

COLD CRANKING TEST

1. Ensure battery is fully charged. Perform a battery load test and voltage drop test before proceeding. Using an inductive ammeter, clamp amp probe to positive battery cable. Using a voltmeter, connect positive voltmeter lead to positive battery post and negative lead to negative battery post. Disable ignition by disconnecting coil pack electrical connector at coil pack.
2. Crank starter and observe meter readings. Meters should read within specification. See «STARTER SPECIFICATIONS»(/eagle/talon/i-1989-1994/remont/starter/#starter-reduction-drive) table. If readings are not within specification, starter is defective.

STARTER MOTOR INSPECTION

1. Inspect field housing and permanent magnets for damage. Magnets are permanently attached to field housing. DO NOT remove magnets from field housing. If field housing or magnets are damaged, replace them as an assembly.
2. Inspect condition of bushing in armature end of drive shaft. Replace planetary gear assembly and pinion shaft if worn or damaged. Inspect armature shaft bushing and bearing. Replace either part if worn.
3. If bushing or bearing has worn to point where armature-to-frame contact has occurred, replace starter.
4. Inspect brushes and brush holder. Replace brushes if damaged or worn below minimum length. See «STARTER SPECIFICATIONS»(/eagle/talon/i-1989-1994/remont/starter/#starter-reduction-drive) table. Replace brush holder if cracked, bent or distorted.

STARTER MOTOR TESTS

1. Check pinion gear for freedom of movement by turning it on shaft. Check armature for freedom of movement by prying on pinion gear to engage it with shaft.
2. If gear and armature do not rotate freely, starter should be disassembled. If pinion gear and armature rotate freely, proceed to «NO-LOAD TEST»(/eagle/talon/i-1989-1994/remont/starter/#starter-reduction-drive__no-load-test) in this article.
3. No rotation and high current flow indicate: Connecting terminal or armature windings shorted to ground. Seized bearings.
4. No rotation and no current flow conditions indicate: Open armature windings (inspect commutator for burned commutator bars after disassembly). Broken brush springs, worn brushes, protruding insulation between commutator bars, or other conditions that could prevent good contact between brushes and commutator.

Note. For additional basic trouble shooting information, refer to the TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

NO-LOAD TEST

1. Clamp starter in soft-jawed vise by mounting flange. Install voltmeter between solenoid terminal and starter frame.
2. Connect a remote starter switch, ammeter and fully charged battery in series with starter motor. (Scheme 2) Ensure switch is in the OPEN position prior to connecting battery.
3. Close switch and note armature RPM, voltage and amperage. Reading should be within specification. See «STARTER SPECIFICATIONS»(/eagle/talon/i-1989-1994/remont/starter/#starter-reduction-drive) table. CAUTION: DO NOT operate starter for more than 30 seconds at a time without allowing starter to cool for at least 2 minutes. Overheating, caused by excessive starter operation, will damage starter.
4. Disconnect electrical connections with switch in OPEN position only. Repair or replace starter if not within specification.

Scheme 2

Ground Test

Place armature in growler. Touch one lead of self-powered test light to armature core and remaining lead to each commutator bar. If test light is activated, armature is grounded. Replace armature.

Short Test

Place armature in growler. Hold thin steel blade parallel and just above armature while armature is rotating in growler. Replace armature if blade vibrates.

Balance Test

1. Place armature in growler. Place growler selector switch in GROWLER position. Position meter test leads across adjacent commutator bars.
2. Adjust voltage control until pointer indicates highest voltage on scale. Test all commutator bars. Voltage should exist at all commutator bars. If no voltage exists, commutator bar is shorted. Replace armature if shorted.

Runout Test

Place armature in a pair of "V" blocks. Using dial indicator, check commutator and armature core runout. If runout exceeds specification, replace armature. See STARTER SPECIFICATIONS table.

OVERHAUL

Overhaul information is not available. Refer to the figure for disassembly and reassembly reference. (Scheme 1)

STARTER SPECIFICATIONS

STARTER SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• NO-LOAD TEST
• STARTER SPECIFICATIONS