JAMMED STARTER.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 346, 10 July 1930, Page 7

JAMMED STARTER.

The method of rocking a car to release a jammed starter is not favoured by the foreman of a garage in New South Wales. I-Ic gives the following reasons : (1) Rocking- the car in gear only digs the jammed teeth of the flywheel and the Bendix or other pinion deeper into each other ; (2) the power used in rocking the car in gear also causes bending of the armature shaft of the starting motor ; (3) apart from the (1) and (2) results it is possible if these units are extra strong even to crack the starter housing-, as most of these where used are made of cast iron.

He recommends another method. Assuming, he says, that the starterpinion Bendix has jammed with the gear teeth of the flywheel : (1) Switch off the ignition ; (2) insert starting handle in engine ; (3) bring handle to downward position, that is, past top dead centre (handles usually have two or three positions in which they can be inserted); (4) give handle one smart kick with sole of foot downwards, and the starter is free. This method, he adds, from years of experience, averages nine out of ten releases. For the tenth, or obstinate case, release the starter, holding holts about one-eighth of an inch ,say four turns); give < the starter a slight shake in its mounting ; tighten the bolts, and try the starting handle to move the engine. If this fails, entirely remove the

starter, being careful to insulate or disconnect the main lead or cable at the battery first, as some cars have their starter switches as units with the starters.