New Sky Tec Starter Problem

[brndiar]

Hi.

Would like to hear your opinion. 

A few month ago I replaced starter with brand new Sky Tec. After a few weeks I had first issue- at first flight of the day a hear only buzz sound. Starter did not engage, did not turn.

This problem was the cause, why i exchanged my old starter. The old one usually worked normally at second attempt.The new one not.

I assumed a weak battery, successfully managed to start with auxilary power. 

Second issue was after a month, at third start (engine was warm). Took the plane to shop to troubleshoot the problem,

according to shop electric was fine, as a problem was determined starter. I was offered exchange, but before exchange the hammer did the trick (couple of strikes).

After a couple month without a issue today again by second attempt  the same problem, only buzz sound. Like in the past the hammer did the trick. At my home airport the problem was not reproducible.

What do you think, should I change the starter? Could be the starter relay the problem?

Thanks,

m.

 

 

Edited October 6, 2020 by brndiar

[EricJ]

The electrical connections should be checked at the starter, relay, and battery.    A dirty, corroded, or loose connection can also cause this.    If whacking the starter with a hammer fixed it, it might be electrical power connections on the starter or it not grounding properly.    I don't know what the brushes on a SkyTec are like, but if the brushes are sticking a hammer would fix that, too.

 

[Matt Ward]

See if this old post of mine helps, video included.

 

[carusoam]

Whacking the starter motor was good for solving problems with old, worn, and dirty starters...

It essentially helped move things enough to get electricity to flow to the next segment in line on the rotor...
 

Since the starter motor is relatively new...

That leaves every connection to it to be suspect... (See Eric’s list above...)

If it was a gentle tap on the starter that worked... it is possible nothing else benefitted from the shaking...  the starter would be left as the biggest culprit...

If it was a giant whack that resulted in wires moving all the way to the tail...  Everything including the old starter relay would be suspect....

Starter relays have a tendency to behave this way... they generally behave normally, but can’t deliver the current required...  Dirty on the inside, not easily cleaned...  (how old is it)
 

Lowest cost fixes are cleaning all the connections... look for any corrosion looking evidence...

Good luck with the sleuthing...  
 

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

Best regards,

-a-

[RLCarter]

2 hours ago, brndiar said:

according to shop electric was fine, as a problem was determined starter. I was offered exchange, but before exchange the hammer did the trick (couple of strikes).

I think would have taken the replacement 

[M20F]

I had a brand new Skytec installed by Don Maxwell off my pre-buy annual.  First stop, didn’t work.  Hit it with a rubber mallet and fixed.  Replaced at home base, no issues since (other then the nuts started to unwind after a few years).  If it is new, my guess it is a dud.  From what I gather on the internet Skytec reliability is hit or miss. 

[carusoam]

@brndiar Mike /M20F left an interesting shared similar experience for you...

Best regards,

-a-

[Guest]

14 hours ago, brndiar said:

Hi.

Would like to hear your opinion. 

A few month ago I replaced starter with brand new Sky Tec. After a few weeks I had first issue- at first flight of the day a hear only buzz sound. Starter did not engage, did not turn.

This problem was the cause, why i exchanged my old starter. The old one usually worked normally at second attempt.The new one not.

I assumed a weak battery, successfully managed to start with auxilary power. 

Second issue was after a month, at third start (engine was warm). Took the plane to shop to troubleshoot the problem,

according to shop electric was fine, as a problem was determined starter. I was offered exchange, but before exchange the hammer did the trick (couple of strikes).

After a couple month without a issue today again by second attempt  the same problem, only buzz sound. Like in the past the hammer did the trick. At my home airport the problem was not reproducible.

What do you think, should I change the starter? Could be the starter relay the problem?

Thanks,

m.

 

 

Skytec has a nice troubleshooting guide on their website.  All you need is a DC volt meter.

Clarence

[Steve65E-NC]

My Sky Tec, 149 NL, worked well for ten years.  Then after a few months sitting, it just froze up.  Used "pin replace" instruction to separate motor and drive. Immediately found that water incursion had cause solenoid plunger to corrode and lock up.  Cleaned and lubed plunger and housing and it worked fine, except question about water incursion.  Sky Tec support was very helpful.  Be careful that the 50 inch pounds in the instruction may twist off the screw heads.  Maybe better to use hand torque and judgement. 

Edited October 11, 2020 by Steve65E-NC
better description of problem

[RobertGary1]

Aside from checking for obvious connection issues I agree it sounds like you just got a bad starter.  Sounds like it’s not engaging. I had that issue with my skytec although only after some years. It’s slightly a pain to change as you either have to drop the cowl or remove an exhaust tube. 

 

-Robert

[David Lloyd]

There are several different series of Skytech starters approved for our M20C. What series do you have?  Could affect the correct answer.

[brndiar]

1 hour ago, David Lloyd said:

There are several different series of Skytech starters approved for our M20C. What series do you have?  Could affect the correct answer.

Sky Tec 149-NL, SN: H-T120569

 

m

[David Lloyd]

Two fairly new LS series had a problem with the starter mounted solenoid failing to work.  Wouldn't pull in and engage the circuit to run the starter motor.  Whacking the side of the solenoid with a big screwdriver did not get any results.  Maybe I should have used the recommended hammer.  Many other people have had the same problem with the LS series.  O'Reilley's had a solenoid for the F-350 that fit and worked fine.  Keep in mind, the LS series has a starter mounted solenoid that once it has power, pulls the engagement lever and closes a set of contacts to power the starter motor.  Both times the old solenoid came home for autopsy.  Internal open on coil for both.  Oh, and that auto parts thing, well, this was on my RV.

[jamesm]

I take you have correct number  of teeth ? I if I recall correctly their are 122 tooth for the earlier year Mooney that would typically have a Narrow Deck engine. and 149 tooth  typically on wide deck engine.  I believe the 149-NL is the one I have installed on my Mooney '67C (wide deck engine cylinder base  flange has nut as oppose to narrow deck that have socket looking nut for the cylinder flange base).  Sounds like quality of the starter manufacturing process have gone down since they sold to hartzell.