Starter Not Engaging in Cold Weather

[Vacula]

Hi Everyone,
I noticed that in colder weather, my BX1500"s starter will spin but NOT engage the flywheel. Before we talk about the obvious, the battery is fully charged and new in the fall.
Anyone with similar issues on them in cold weather?
I haven't crawled under it to look but is there a good way to access it to see if I have an accumulation of gunk around it and to apply some light oil to see if it's a mechanical rather than electrical issue? I don't have the service manual for it.
Thanks in Advance!

 

[D2Cat]

Sounds like your solenoid is not doing it's job. I'd pull the starter and take it to an alternator/starter repair shop. They can check/clean the starter and install a new solenoid.

 

[BruceP]

From your description, it sounds as if the lubricant in your starter has thickened and in cold tempartures is more like glue. It is trivial to remove starter, clean and lubricate. (DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST!!)

On my kubota, the solenoid can be removed from the starter. Inspected, cleaned or simply replaced. (about $20 for replacement). It takes about 10 minutes to replace it.

 

[Dave_eng]

Are you taking about temperatures below freezing?

If you warm up the solenoid area with an electric heat gun, does it then work.

Taking it apart is always the best way.

A year or two ago, an owner of a larger tractor was plagued with starter freezing despite removal and rebuild by a specialist shop.

If he warmed the solenoid a bit with a heat gun, then it would start. He was getting condensation in the starter for reasons he could not find. He needed a quick solution and a silicone pad heater of low wattage stuck to the solenoid saved the day.

Consider the pad heater a band aid until it is more convenient to remove the starter.

https://www.amazon.com/Kats-24050-W...520720876&sr=8-6&keywords=silicone+pad+heater

Dave

 

[In Utopia]

From your description, it sounds as if the lubricant in your starter has thickened and in cold tempartures is more like glue. It is trivial to remove starter, clean and lubricate. (DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST!!)

On my kubota, the solenoid can be removed from the starter. Inspected, cleaned or simply replaced. (about $20 for replacement). It takes about 10 minutes to replace it.

Most recommend no lube at all.
Bendix units work best when they are left dry.
Sounds like it's sticking.