Honda 3818 starter issue

[mburz]

I have a Honda 3813, I pulled the engine and replaced the starter about a 1 1/2 years ago. Has run great till now. Now when I turn the key to start, I only get a buzzing noise from the starter solenoid. Some times when I turn the key I get the buzzing noise, and a spark comes from the positive post of the battery. I've checked all the connections. I've replaced the battery and starter solenoid, but still the same buzzing noise. I disconnected the solenoid and starter connections, ran a wire from the positive connection on the starter and touch the positive post of the battery, and the starter engages, and turns the engine over. Is this a starter problem, possibly shorting inside the starter? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[logan01]

I have a Honda 3813, I pulled the engine and replaced the starter about a 1 1/2 years ago. Has run great till now. Now when I turn the key to start, I only get a buzzing noise from the starter solenoid. Some times when I turn the key I get the buzzing noise, and a spark comes from the positive post of the battery. I've checked all the connections. I've replaced the battery and starter solenoid, but still the same buzzing noise. I disconnected the solenoid and starter connections, ran a wire from the positive connection on the starter and touch the positive post of the battery, and the starter engages, and turns the engine over. Is this a starter problem, possibly shorting inside the starter? Any help would be appreciated.

Remove the plugs and crank it. This will relieve the resistance (compression). See if it only clicks or clicks / sparks. Besides the starter, it could also be the key switch. Normally the battery spark will be a symptom of a loose / corroded battery connection or even a corroded cable inside the sheath (hidden). Could possibly be a bad ground (the main ground cable).

 

[Lawnranger]

Sounds like the solenoid high current contacts may have corrosion. Usually on starter-mounted solenoids, there is the small signal wire from the ignition switch and two large terminals with one being from the battery positive to the solenoid and the other from the solenoid to the starter motor. If this is the setup you have you can simply check for power coming out of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position. High resistance across the solenoid contacts can cause the symptom you are experiencing. Some people jump the two large terminals on the solenoid to see if the engine starts - not recommended or very safe but will tell you if the starter motor itself is good.

A better way to test is to use a voltage drop test across the two large terminals with a volt meter. Disable the ignition system and while the circuit is energized (key held in start position) the volt meter should read under .5 volts dc. Much more than that and you know you have significant voltage drop across the high current contacts in the solenoid.

 

[bertsmobile1]

And remember you need nice clean tight earth connections as well as good power connections.

 

[Lawnranger]

I have a Honda 3813, I pulled the engine and replaced the starter about a 1 1/2 years ago. Has run great till now. Now when I turn the key to start, I only get a buzzing noise from the starter solenoid. Some times when I turn the key I get the buzzing noise, and a spark comes from the positive post of the battery. I've checked all the connections. I've replaced the battery and starter solenoid, but still the same buzzing noise. I disconnected the solenoid and starter connections, ran a wire from the positive connection on the starter and touch the positive post of the battery, and the starter engages, and turns the engine over. Is this a starter problem, possibly shorting inside the starter? Any help would be appreciated.

And remember you need nice clean tight earth connections as well as good power connections.

Always a good idea to check ground circuit, however OP said he "ran a wire from the positive connection on the starter and touch the positive post of the battery, and the starter engages, and turns the engine over." This would indicate that the ground is working as it should, doesn't it?

 

[bertsmobile1]

The solenoid needs a ground too.
Most solenoid problems end up either being an interlock problem or an earthing problem.
Sold 6 solenoids in 3 years and 5 of them war to handimen who misdiagnosed the problem & just asked for the part.
I used to interogate them to see if they knew what they were doing but I stopped a while back because all I got was grief for putting their "manliness" in doubt.
There are only 2 places to get parts, 4 if you include batteries as the 2 servos also sell mower batteries so we end up knowing who was too embarrassed to come back & admit they were wrong.

 

[Lawnranger]

The solenoid needs a ground too.
Most solenoid problems end up either being an interlock problem or an earthing problem.
Sold 6 solenoids in 3 years and 5 of them war to handimen who misdiagnosed the problem & just asked for the part.
I used to interogate them to see if they knew what they were doing but I stopped a while back because all I got was grief for putting their "manliness" in doubt.
There are only 2 places to get parts, 4 if you include batteries as the 2 servos also sell mower batteries so we end up knowing who was too embarrassed to come back & admit they were wrong.

Looks like you missed the fact that I suggested the OP test the solenoid and not replace. It also appears that things are different where you live. I tested 4 suspect solenoids this year and had to replace all 4 to correct the no-crank condition.

 

[robert@honda]

Starter won't turn if the PTO lever is engaged, or if the shift lever is out of Neutral.
I believe, but can't say for 100%, the starter will not work unless the Parking Brake is on OR an operator must be sitting in the seat.
So it could be any of those switches, or the wiring to/from them.

The H3813 has a number of relays too...

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