Clicking sound

[The-sky-captain]

Last week I went out to fly and I got a clicking sound when I turned the ignition. After several attempts I rolled it back in the hanger. The battery tested good so I called my mechanic the following day. Before he got there I attempted again multiple times to no avail. Needless to say when he showed up it cranked on the first try. I have flown several times since and have'nt been able to replicate the clicking sound. We think it's either a sticking solenoid or maybe the ignition switch. Any ideas?

[DonMuncy]

Is this on a Continental.  I had a similar problem on my 231 which occurred on a frequent but sporatic basis.  One Mooney guru told me that giving the starter a good whack would often make it go.  I did and it did.  Turned out to be a bad solder joint on the post inside the starter.  (The one the heavy cable goes to).  My "starter/generator fixit guy" found it and resoldered it.  Has worked perfectly ever since.

Don

[The-sky-captain]

Don- It's on a Lycoming, but I have heard that giving the starter a good thump helps sometimes! It's a Skytec that got installed about 4 years ago so the starer should be ok, I would think. My mechanic checked all areas for loose wires and grounds so he may have accidently fixed it in the process:)

Jim- I did clean the connections on the battery when I took it out to test the charge but it didn't make a difference that day. It started right up the next day though as if nothing had happened. Who knows about these little things. Thanks for the imput guys. 

[dlthig]

There is always a chance that you may have a tooth missing on the flywheel.  Otherwise, I'd consider a starter overhaul.

[The-sky-captain]

Seems the starting issue was a combo of a couple of bad wires in the starter and a weak battery. The starter was fixed and I had a new battery installed. Cranks right up on the first blade!

[Mooney13]

I had a similar problem today...was leaving an airport when i went to start it I heard a click sound and no starter movement...we took off the cowling and a guy at the local shop tapped on the starter and it would be good for one try, then if you did not start it, it had to be tapped on again and it would again work for one try...So, because I was 1.5 hours from home (6 hours by car) I had him give it another "magic tap" put the cowl back on...fired it up and got the heck out of there and flew home.. I landed, shut the plane off and then tried to see what would happen....same thing...just a click noise from the solenoid under the instr. panel....I would have thought it was a bad solenoid, but then why does the tapping on the starter do the trick??? OH....One thing to add to my frustration....It is a brand new Skytec, I bought and had installed last week ! A bit frustrated to say the least....now if it is the starter, I get to pay my mechanics to do it all over again...

 

[The-sky-captain]

Mooney 13-  Apparently in my situation the plunger had some gunk in it that need to be cleaned out. Frusterating but a quick, painless fix nonetheless. Good luck with the process.

[Mooney13]

Ill make sure I let the guys atthe shop know that ...thanks for the info

 

[Piloto]

The classical clicking sound comes from either the battery relay or starter relay. It occurs when the battery voltage drops due to the starter load. When the voltage drops the relay opens due lower coil voltage. When the relay opens the voltage increases again causing the relay to close again. This cycle gets repeated causing the clicking sound. Possible causes are:

1, Battery is not getting fully charged. Check charging voltage.

2. Weak battery with high internal resistance.

3. Poor battery connection at the battery or relay terminals.

4. Wrong or defective starter relay. The starter relay coils operate at a lower battery voltage to prevent disconnection during crancking. Master relays coil operates at battery voltage. Make sure you have the proper starter relay.

5. Momentary shorted winding condition in the starter or its connection.

José 

    

[Mooney13]

Thanks for the info.
Any idea why taping the starter worked every time (5 or 6 times straight)?

[Piloto]

Quote: Mooney13

Thanks for the info.

Any idea why taping the starter worked every time (5 or 6 times straight)?

[Magnum]

I had the same clicking sound, a cable was burned inside the starter and I head to get a new one.

Usually it is a sign for a weak battery or worn brushes. When you tap the starter the brushes sometimes make contact again and you can start. But it won't work very long.

[Mooney13]

ya, it sure did not work very long at all....was installed brand new less than a week ago

Thanks again for the feedback guys

[DonMickey]

I'm having a problem with the starter on my E model Mooney. Starter spins but does not engage. Any ideas?

[carusoam]

Don,

If you are fortunate, it is only a cleaning and lubrication issue on the bendix drive portion of the starter.

The sliding mechanism can collect a little dirt, and if it has not been used in a while, you will here the starter motor wind up and nothing else happen.  (I had experienced this on my M20C).

I suppose the opposite may be true also, once engaged, difficulty in disengagement may occur.  Watch for an electrical overcharge as a stuck starter will turn into a generator.  (I have not seen this happen)

I ended up rebuilding the starter / bendix at annual a few months later...

Hope you are fortunate and only need a little clean and lube.

Best regards,

[FlyDave]

Quote: DonMickey

I'm having a problem with the starter on my E model Mooney. Starter spins but does not engage. Any ideas?

[Mcstealth]

Quote: carusoam

I suppose the opposite may be true also, once engaged, difficulty in disengagement may occur.  Watch for an electrical overcharge as a stuck starter will turn into a generator.  (I have not seen this happen)

[Guest Anonymous]

Quote: Piloto

The classical clicking sound comes from either the battery relay or starter relay. It occurs when the battery voltage drops due to the starter load. When the voltage drops the relay opens due lower coil voltage. When the relay opens the voltage increases again causing the relay to close again. This cycle gets repeated causing the clicking sound. Possible causes are:

1, Battery is not getting fully charged. Check charging voltage.

2. Weak battery with high internal resistance.

3. Poor battery connection at the battery or relay terminals.

4. Wrong or defective starter relay. The starter relay coils operate at a lower battery voltage to prevent disconnection during crancking. Master relays coil operates at battery voltage. Make sure you have the proper starter relay.

5. Momentary shorted winding condition in the starter or its connection.

José