Sky tec 149 NL Problem

[Steve65E-NC]

In 2011 I installed a SkyTec 149 NL in my 1965 E Model Mooney.  It has worked beautifully until now.  However, all I am getting now are firewall solenoid clicks and not a sound from the starter.  I have load checked the Concorde 35RX battery and voltages at every point.  I even took 12v positive directly to the Starter lug.  Sparks but no sound or smell.  I would like thoughts short of pulling the Starter which is a lot of work. I have talked to SkyTec. 

[carusoam]

Steve, have you found their service checklist?

I believe I remember they have a chart or guide of some interesting details to check...

If you have put voltage directly to it... and got no reaction...

Expect that there may be a similar grounding issue...

Could be cleaning contacts kind of simple...

A lot of electrons have to cross the boundaries to make it work...

Best regards,

-a-

[chriscalandro]

If you put power straight to the starter and got nothing I think you have your answer.  The only other thing I can come up with is putting a meter on it while someone hits the key. 
 

The good news is that after removing the bottom cowling the second time I was well prepared to do it the third. You will get there!

 

its also a great tome to switch to the alternator if you haven’t. 

Edited March 22, 2020 by chriscalandro

[Bolter]

  On 3/22/2020 at 6:06 PM, Steve65E-NC said:

In 2011 I installed a SkyTec 149 NL in my 1965 E Model Mooney.  It has worked beautifully until now.  However, all I am getting now are firewall solenoid clicks and not a sound from the starter.  I have load checked the Concorde 35RX battery and voltages at every point.  I even took 12v positive directly to the Starter lug.  Sparks but no sound or smell.  I would like thoughts short of pulling the Starter which is a lot of work. I have talked to SkyTec. 

Expand  

I had a SkyTec (installed around 2015, 400+ hours at the time) problem last year that sounded similar, but it was intermittent (twice in 100 hours) and it went away when the engine cooled both times.  I verified voltage all the way to the starter, too.  

I think there is an internal clutch/switch assembly that takes the role of the old Bendix gear.  Your motor may be good, but if the other sub-assembly is bad, you need to remove the entire thing.  I bet it is easy to confirm on the bench, but I could not reach anything with the starter in place, aside from verifying voltage was getting there.  SkyTec team was helpful on the phone, but did not tell me anything I did not know.  I am in wait and see mode right now, since it has not happened for about 50-75 hours over the last 6 months.