[gto dave]

Just replaced the brushes on my 2004 rancher 350. the starter just spins and does not engage flywheel. battery is fully charged! Anyone have an idea what the problem is?

 

[Jeepwm69]

Welcome to the forum.

Make sure it's spinning the right way. Not sure which way that is off the top of my head, but sometimes they spin backwards and if that happens the flywheel will just spin.

If it's spinning proper way, I'd see if the starter gears are engaging the starter reduction gears, and check both gears for tooth wear.

 

[gto dave]

How would I change it? There is only one wire.

 

[Jeepwm69]

Cheap ebay brushes or OEM?

I've seen negative reviews on cheap brush sets that said they made the starter turn backwards.

 

[gto dave]

what direction should it spin?

 

[Jeepwm69]

Not sure without looking.

Pull your pull start while watching the gear the starter engages, then hold your starter and hook it to 12V and see if it's spinning the right way (hold on tight! They jump when you put power to them!).

 

[ktriebol]

The starter is spinning the wrong way and it has nothing to do with the brushes. The starter has front, middle, and rear sections. The middle section contains the permanent magnets. If you turned the middle section around end-for-end during reassembly, the polarity of the permanent magnets is reversed and the motor will spin the opposite way. You need to disassemble the motor and turn that middle section back around. Always mark the sections of a starter before disassembly so you will be sure to put it back together the same way it was.

 

[shadetree]

and if it is spinning the right way ?, chances are, the one-way bearing is bad behind the flywheel.

 

[Jeepwm69]

The starter is spinning the wrong way and it has nothing to do with the brushes. The starter has front, middle, and rear sections. The middle section contains the permanent magnets. If you turned the middle section around end-for-end during reassembly, the polarity of the permanent magnets is reversed and the motor will spin the opposite way. You need to disassemble the motor and turn that middle section back around. Always mark the sections of a starter before disassembly so you will be sure to put it back together the same way it was.

Makes sense. I've never had one do it but have shied away from some brush kits that showed that in the reviews. LOL

 

[ktriebol]

and if it is spinning the right way ?, chances are, the one-way bearing is bad behind the flywheel.

The OP seemed to imply that the starter was engaging before taking it apart to install new brushes. If the one-way bearing was working before taking the starter apart, it will work after installing the new brushes too.

 

[shadetree]

and if it is spinning the right way ?, chances are, the one-way bearing is bad behind the flywheel.

The OP seemed to imply that the starter was engaging before taking it apart to install new brushes. If the one-way bearing was working before taking the starter apart, it will work after installing the new brushes too.

agreed ^^^. if he did not put the starter back together wrong ?, and the starter is spinning the correct way ?, most times the one-way bearing goes out, and this would keep the motor from turning over. but I do agree with ya, if he put the starter back together wrong ?..well..you answered him . all I know is, he stated the starter would work, but not turn the motor over ?, either starter is wrong ?, or one-way bearing is bad ?.