The International Cessna^® 170 Association

This is probably addressed in the forum but too hard to isolate with a "starter" search...

From time to time when I pull the starter nothing happens. I have played with the Master switch but that seems to be fine. Play with starter wires/cables, nothing appears loose, but will sometimes start normally afterward. Can't correlate whether it is related or not. Mechanic looked at it but it started normally.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Bob

Cables can be corroded inside the insulation and at the crimped terminal ends. Check for voltage drop at terminal closest to starter. Contacts in starter can be burnt and not always making good contact when you pull the starter cable.

Double check that you have a good ground. Not only for looseness, but no corrosion and good connection. If that's not it and you have a Delco-Remy pull-type starter, it could be the switch contacts on the starter itself. They can get dirty or burn out/wear out over time. The contacts in the switch are nothing more than a chunk of copper that gets thinner at the contact area over time as the contacts arc a bit each time the starter is engaged. Fortunately, the switch is externally mounted on the starter and can be easily removed to clean the contacts or replace the switch. Also fortunately, if the contacts are toast and the switch needs to be replaced, it is readily available for pretty short money because the starter is the same as the one used on many early farm tractors. (Only the mounting flange of the starter itself is different on the farm tractor starters. The switch is identical.) So you can get the switch from NAPA and online vintage tractor supply sites, and possibly tractor supply. It's NAPA part no. ST11. See these threads for more info including other troubleshooting guidance:
http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ter+switch
http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ter+switch

Thanks guys, I will check it out.

Bob