Starter shaft stuck/tight

[rigoletto]

Good to know as I came in as Tecumseh was leaving the small engine business (2009).

Wow, didnt know that. Why did they decide that? What are they into now?

 

[ILENGINE]

Wow, didnt know that. Why did they decide that? What are they into now?

Tecumseh basically went belly up after the bankruptcy and sales of Murray since Murray was the largest user of Tecumseh engines. Tecumseh was purchased/taken over by an investment group. That same group has control of LCT engines and the combined name for both is Lauson engine, which was the prior name of Tecumseh. Peerless transaxle was sold to Husqvarna.

But like most small engine and OPE manufacturers, that is not their primary business. Briggs at one time specialized in Automotive parts under the name of BASCO. Kohler is plumbing fixture until recently when the engine division was separated out. Tecumseh specializes in refrigeration equipment, with focus on compressors. Honda and Subaru(prior to Yamaha taking over the industrial equipment side of the business) are their auto divisions.

 

[RevB]

Thanks, IL. I got 26 years out of it, not bad. But curious- do you think that would account for why I am getting only 6-7 v with started having been mounted on the mower? What would cause that? Now, where to buy a new one......There are 2 #'s listed on back of the starter- on top is the 36914, and below it is 38026. Do you know which # is the starter item/code #, for searching the correct one? Thanks!

Highly unlikely the field failed as described. Starters are not fully sealed units. Dust and dirt make their way into the interior. Take the starter apart. Clean it out, blow it out, clean up the commutator, check brush length/condition, lubricate the plain bearings if so equipped and the shaft that rides in those bearings. If ball bearings, make sure they're free and if not you can pop the seal out of one side, clean and relubricate. Betcha the starter is fine.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

Wow, didnt know that. Why did they decide that? What are they into now?

Due to poor management decisions, they lost most of the business from their best customer, Sears. Then they moved most of their production to Brazil. When you can't pay your bills in Brazil, they lock up your building and don't let you in until you pay. They couldn't pay.