Super Jet Starter sticks and starts melting wires

[gunther2254]

So I am helping a friend fix his 93 sj after flooding it last year he tore it down and rebuild it. when i got it from him it cranked with no spark. Then one day it stopped cranking over and started melting down the batter terminal to the starter. I took it apart and found the ground to the starter to have broke so i figures the arching cause the issue. I replaced the starter and now the starter hits and sticks and starts making the wires hot. Its like the motor is siezed. I had a little rust on one spark plug and the other one was clean. Im not sure where to go with this? ANY IDEAS?

 

[ProSouth]

so, the starter "hits and sticks" means clicks and doesnt turn over? have you tried turning it over by hand with the plugs out? by grabbing the midshaft and turning it. if there was rust on it... i would prepare for the worst and tear it down. also, take the time and reread your posts. it's a bit hard to understand.

 

[JT_Freeride]

I had this exact problem with a friends 760 swap SN it turned out to be his starter solenoid was stuck and on top of it his motor was filled to the top with gas from the carbs. I would take the ebox apart and check everything. His ground from the solenoid was also bad it had to be moved to a new ground block in the ebox.

 

[Matt_E]

Don't assume that the motor is not seized. Remove the spark plugs and try turning it over by hand. DO that first.

 

[jdmforlife]

Try Swapping the power and ground cables rad dudes make a great alternative replacement set of cables.

 

[gunther2254]

Yes the starter would "hit" engage and almost start to turn it over but wouldn't then it wouldn't release and it would start making wires hot.

 

[ProSouth]

Either the starter motor is seized or the engine, but grabbing the midshaft by hand will be a quick diagnosis.

 

[Matt_E]

Either the starter motor is seized or the engine, but grabbing the midshaft by hand will be a quick diagnosis.

And even then it could still be the pump of midshaft itself that are seized and not the engine. :clown:

 

[ProSouth]

Tru dat, wasn't thinking, thanks matt

 

[Quinc]

Just had this problem on the 550 and it was the starter solenoid. Try replacing it or taking it apart and cleaning it.

 

[ProSouth]

Well what were getting at, is that before pulling the ebox, tearing it down and cleaning it, it would be much faster to yank the plugs and grab the midshaft and try to turn it. Especially with rust on a plug. Then I'd start chasing electrical issues. Then I'd go for wiring/solenoid or even the starter.

 

[JT_Freeride]

The motor needs to be checked first. Like I said with mine I thought it was seized but it turned out to be hydro locked with gas I pulled the plugs and turned it by hand. Then I chased down the electrical problem to the solenoid.

 

[gunther2254]

The starter is brand new.... and the old one did the same thing so I am thinking that's not it. How easy should the motor be to turn by hand with the spark plugs out?

 

[ProSouth]

Very, if you're struggling, there's a problem. Like Matt said though, it could be the pump. But I'm pointing my finger at the engine.

 

[JetManiac]

The starter is brand new.... and the old one did the same thing so I am thinking that's not it. How easy should the motor be to turn by hand with the spark plugs out?

Brand new oem? Probably brand new crappy ebay starter, but problem is likely elsewhere. You should be able to spin it easily by hand with plugs out.

If it turns freely, then remember the cranking system includes starter, 2 positive battery cables, battery, ground cable, and stater solenoid/relay. If any component is bad or connections between them are bad, it cant cause overheating and issues.
Check everything before ruining more parts.

 

[gunther2254]

You guys are awesome.... So i have removed the spark plugs and i absolutely am unable to budge shaft by hand. I don't knwo if the starter is stuck out and holding the fly wheel? would that be possible.

 

[Matt_E]

It is extremely unlikely. You can take off the flywheel cover and find out pretty easily.
Either you have a bad crank bearing or your pump is seized.

 

[ProSouth]

Agreed. With the cover off you can also try turning it over with a socket, maybe to tell whether its pump or engine.

 

[gunther2254]

Tried turning it over with a socket and turning the midshaft at the same time.... wouldn't budge.

 

[gunther2254]

I guess im tearing that motor down.... any recommendations and best places to get gasket kits. and rebuild kits!