Starter problems

[1989BlackYJ]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 89 yj that seems to like eating starters. I have put two in within the last 6 months. They're getting fried and locking up. Has anyone else had problems like this :?: I'm going to check my alternator this weekend to see maybe thats a problem. This has me stumped. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Don.

 

[Snitty]

is it shimmed? or does it need to be shimmed? if it misaligns, you can eat them up pretty good

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

Electric motors are pretty tough. Running a higher voltage through them (such as what a bad alternator/ voltage regulator might do) isn't going to hurt them. Yes, they tend to get a bit warmer, but there really should be no killing involved. On the other hand, the battery voltage might be sagging significantly, causing the starter to sink more current. Even then, I doubt you'd be killing them that quickly.

But if the starter motor is mechanically locked up, and you apply power to it, you can damage or completely ruin it very quickly (it draws a TON of current, heats up, and a field winding melts, or something similar).

At any rate, it sounds like you have mechanical problems with the starters as Snitty suggested.

-Nick :!:

 

[Tug-n-pull]

I had an 87 YJ and it too ate em up so I went out and bought a life time one at the local auto zone and just did not worrie any longer! New one when ever I need one but after that I never needed one again. go figure tug