I cleaned the connections, verified everything, and still no luck.
On top of that I had issues the other day with my truck not starting. Needed a new battery terminal and was hoping that was the problem, so I cleaned it up. Thinking maybe the corrosion had kept the battery from recharging I tried jumping it with my GT6, but no luck.
I hauled that battery and my GT6 battery to a local place for testing and both passed with flying colors. My truck battery is even 17 years old and still going strong. Replaced the terminal end, which was severely corroded and about ready to split in two. Still no start.
Ended up being the starter so I got that sorted.
So, with the starter on my mind I dug into my GT6 starter. I noticed a few months ago sparks coming from the end of the armature (the rotating bit that pokes out the back end) so I ordered a new set of brushes and with them on hand now decided to pull it and replace them. (It's an L25079, so I ordered accordingly)
Don't mind the color scheme. It was a crazy attempt of engine beautification back when I got the car. I had to replace the bendix and painted it while I had it out. Yeah, the follies of youth.
With the brush cover pulled off.
close up shot of the commutator. NOt surprised but not what I wanted to see.
I've got an incomplete spare starter, so I pulled the armature out of it.
My boy noticed before I did the bendix end on the spare is a clip on, while my current one is threaded. Well, that won't work...
Here's the brushes, old and new, and a side shot
replaced the brushes. Desoldering them was a job.I had to drill a pilot hole to center and then drill a larger hole. I think I used 5/32". Then I could put the tip of my iron into the hole and desolder.
You'll notice the broken spring...oops. Good thing I had a spare.
De-soldering these were a littler tougher. I couldn't do the drill trick. But, I was able to get them removed and replaced in the end.
I dressed the commutators with 80 grit, 120, 240 and 600.
All back together execpt for inserting the brushes. (notice the stripped case)
Inserting the brushes. I had to lift the spring up with needle nosed pliers and then insert a screwdriver underneath to lift it out of the way.
Then I was able to slide the new brush into the holder and release the spring. Repeat for the other 3.
Inverted, but here you go, with the brush cover replaced.
And...repainted.Looks a bit better, don't you think?
I connected it to a battery via jumper cables and it works, much nicer than before. Now to just reinstall it.
I bought a cheap 9/16" wrench I'm going to mod to make reaching the bolts easier.
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