Starter Intermittent Engagement

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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rnealon1
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:28 pm

Starter Intermittent Engagement

Post by rnealon1 »

This is probably addressed in the forum but too hard to isolate with a "starter" search...

From time to time when I pull the starter nothing happens. I have played with the Master switch but that seems to be fine. Play with starter wires/cables, nothing appears loose, but will sometimes start normally afterward. Can't correlate whether it is related or not. Mechanic looked at it but it started normally.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Bob
Bob Nealon

Southbury, CT
FredL
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue May 14, 2019 3:29 am

Re: Starter Intermittent Engagement

Post by FredL »

Cables can be corroded inside the insulation and at the crimped terminal ends. Check for voltage drop at terminal closest to starter. Contacts in starter can be burnt and not always making good contact when you pull the starter cable.
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gfeher
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Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm

Re: Starter Intermittent Engagement

Post by gfeher »

Double check that you have a good ground. Not only for looseness, but no corrosion and good connection. If that's not it and you have a Delco-Remy pull-type starter, it could be the switch contacts on the starter itself. They can get dirty or burn out/wear out over time. The contacts in the switch are nothing more than a chunk of copper that gets thinner at the contact area over time as the contacts arc a bit each time the starter is engaged. Fortunately, the switch is externally mounted on the starter and can be easily removed to clean the contacts or replace the switch. Also fortunately, if the contacts are toast and the switch needs to be replaced, it is readily available for pretty short money because the starter is the same as the one used on many early farm tractors. (Only the mounting flange of the starter itself is different on the farm tractor starters. The switch is identical.) So you can get the switch from NAPA and online vintage tractor supply sites, and possibly tractor supply. It's NAPA part no. ST11. See these threads for more info including other troubleshooting guidance:
http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ter+switch
http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ter+switch
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
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rnealon1
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:28 pm

Re: Starter Intermittent Engagement

Post by rnealon1 »

Thanks guys, I will check it out.

Bob
Bob Nealon

Southbury, CT
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