Checking Pinion Clearance

CAUTION: Keep fingers, tools, and other objects away from opening In drive end housing while making electrical connections during this procedure. The strong shifting action of the solenoid could cause personal injury or damage as the drive pinion moves into cranking position.

1. Secure starting motor in vise or equivalent fixture so that opening in drive end housing is accessible for measurement.
2. Assure that field lead is disconnected and insulated from solenoid terminal.

Checking Pinion Clearance:

3. Connect positive lead from a 12-volt power source to the solenoid "S" terminal. Connect negative lead from power source to clean ground on motor housing. This energizes hold-in coil as shown in Figure above.
4. Momentarily ground solenoid terminal "M" to motor housing. This energizes the solenoid pull-in coil and causes the drive pinion to move into cranking position. The drive pinion will stay in this position when momentary ground is removed.

Checking Pinion Clearance:

5. Press on clutch just enough to take up any free pinion movement on the shaft as shown in Figure above. Use feeler gages to check clearance between end of pinion and pinion stop retainer. clearance should be 0.25 to 4.06 mm (0.010 to 0.160 in).
6. Disconnect negative (ground) lead from motor housing (drive pinion will retract into drive end housing), then disconnect positive lead from "S,. terminal.
7. When clearance is outside specifications, recheck motor for proper assembly and for worn or damaged parts in shift mechanism and drive assembly. Replace worn parts.