LS140 Starter Rebuilt - Still Have Issues

[Frederick]

Well the LS140 rebuild story / money pit continues.... Was having issues with the bendix / pinion gear engaging and got the starter rebuilt. There were some problems: plunger / worn contacts replaced and lubed. Ran great on the bench. Installed the starter and it started right up several times. Now it's back to its old tricks again of not engaging the ring gear but I think I'm on to something as an issue. Since I rebuilt the machine is has just been run for very short times ( or my conclusion on this problem. My only way to charge the battery is one of these small wall trickle chargers. As another test I will try to start cold on jumpers cables connected to the battery and/or starter directly. I tried this when I first had the problem before the rebuild and it made no difference. Sad footnote to all this is I'm having to try sell the loader without really getting to use it since I lost my job in October. Having no luck with CraigsList but I know my price is a little high and the economy is not helping. eBay also looks dead. Thanks, Fred

 

[Earthwerks Unlimited]

I'd take the starter to someone else and tell them what is happening. It could be the rebuilder overlooked something simple as a bushing that could be the culprit.

 

[Tazza]

I'd take the starter to someone else and tell them what is happening. It could be the rebuilder overlooked something simple as a bushing that could be the culprit.

If you are concerned about the battery, take it to a battery shop and get them to load test it, it could be as simple as not enough power.
Testing a starter on the bench really isn't a good indication of its state, it may spin up correctly but under load it could have no guts at all....
Geting it checked by another shop isn't a silly idea either, you never know!

 

[Frederick]

If you are concerned about the battery, take it to a battery shop and get them to load test it, it could be as simple as not enough power.
Testing a starter on the bench really isn't a good indication of its state, it may spin up correctly but under load it could have no guts at all....
Geting it checked by another shop isn't a silly idea either, you never know!

I have a new thought on the starter looking at things today and based on the rebuild (engine + starter). What about if the overrunning clutch is faulty? Given the starter was only no load tested on the bench. I openned the hood and looked at the engine while trying to start. What I saw was some movement of the fan like the ring gear was engaged and then just starter motor spinning. With the rebuilt motor now offering much more resistance (high compression) to the starter clutch, if this fails to hold then you get this condition, I think. Yes, agreed the battery should also be load tested, however, connecting the starter directly to a second truck battery (bypassing loader batt cables) + the loader battery still in place produced the same failing results.

 

[Frederick]

I have a new thought on the starter looking at things today and based on the rebuild (engine + starter). What about if the overrunning clutch is faulty? Given the starter was only no load tested on the bench. I openned the hood and looked at the engine while trying to start. What I saw was some movement of the fan like the ring gear was engaged and then just starter motor spinning. With the rebuilt motor now offering much more resistance (high compression) to the starter clutch, if this fails to hold then you get this condition, I think. Yes, agreed the battery should also be load tested, however, connecting the starter directly to a second truck battery (bypassing loader batt cables) + the loader battery still in place produced the same failing results.

Seems to have been the overrunnning clutch could not handle the torque of the rebuilt engine.. I got the clutch replaced and seem OK now. Should have just got a new starter but not sure what is between the $150 after markets and the $650 NH dealer starter. The total rebuild was $300, half was Denso parts.