Starter problem? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

bryannanderson · 12-06-2006, 08:05 AM

Hey guys,
I have a 97 580 EXT EFI Deluxe, all the bells and whistles. Last night while I was going to start my sled, I turned the key and you could hear the starter spin, but it didnt engage. Well, I gave it a couple taps with a hammer, and treid it again, and it fired right up. However, while it is idling you can hear this ting-ing noise (it has been happening for quite a while) and when I looked down at the starter, it seems the solinoid, with the gear on it there, is rattling around and hitting the starting gear. Its not causing any damage or anything, but the noise is annoying. It stops at higher RPM's. I am wondering what the cause is, and should I be worried about this?

Thanks!!

mmrosshere · 12-06-2006, 09:29 AM

It sounds like your starter needs a little attn. You could pull it and give it a cleaning. when you do do not grease or oil it. likely the cause is oil got on the helix or in the coil then it started to collect dirt and got gummed up.

mmrosshere · 12-06-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryannanderson

(it has been happening for quite a while) and when I looked down at the starter, it seems the solinoid, with the gear on it there, is rattling around and hitting the starting gear. Its not causing any damage or anything, but the noise is annoying. It stops at higher RPM's. I am wondering what the cause is, and should I be worried about this?

Thanks!!

The return spring could be getting weak also.

**smallengineguy** · 12-06-2006, 06:37 PM

Don't bang on it! It'll crack the magnets inside it. Remove, clean and reinstall it.

rgoers · 12-06-2006, 06:37 PM

My '00 ZL did the same thing! Does yours have the extension shaft like mine, or is it direct drive?

Check the bolts where it mounts to the motor! They may be loose. If they're okay, you can spray the gear assembly with some brake cleaner, to get the old gunk out of there. They tend to get sticky when they're dirty.