New battery wont spin the starter but car battery does

[gaburley]

Hi everyone;

I just picked up an 85 Spree. It is in bad shape but it does start easily, well sort of.

The battery was dead and the seller had an extra wire out the back to jump start it from his truck (and had the starter button disconnected).

I replaced the battery with a new one and while the starter sounds like it is spinning (and not catching), it spins very slowly.

I hooked the sellers "starter wire" to a 7 amp hour 12 volt sla battery that I use for other projects, and the Spree happily roars to life (wich is good).

These are 12 volt batteries of similar sizes, why doesn't the (new) battery in my Spree start the engine?

Be poor, be debt free and live happy

Glenn

Ps. after I work this problem out I will worry about getting the wiring back the was that it originally was.

[Trafficjamz]

check for poor connections at the starter relay or stock battery terminals.

[Bear45-70]

How long and at what amperage did you charge this new battery to make sure it was fully charged? Because it doesn't sound like you charged it at all.

[gaburley]

Hi;

The battery connections feel good, however (as suggested) I have not checked the connections on the starter,

I charged the (new) battery with a 1 amp trickle charger, however I will try to cycle it a few times.

This help is really cool; now, where is the starter and what does it look like (yes, I am that green).

Be poor, be debt free and live happy

Glenn

[martynkim]

It is toward the front of the engine. Resembles a car starter

[Bear45-70]

Hi;

The battery connections feel good, however (as suggested) I have not checked the connections on the starter,

I charged the (new) battery with a 1 amp trickle charger, however I will try to cycle it a few times.

This help is really cool; now, where is the starter and what does it look like (yes, I am that green).

Be poor, be debt free and live happy

Glenn

Normal procedure for these small battery's is no more than 2 amps for at least 12 hours. The lower the amperage the longer you need.

[gaburley]

Hi;

Well, I am still confused about my battery not starting my Spree (85), but for now I will carry a small battery for starting, and over the winter I will dig into it further.

Mind you, since the seat does not lock, needing an external battery to start my Spree is an anti theft thing.

I know that this Spree will eventually cost much more than it is worth (it already has, I payed $500). Once some big expencive things are fixed at the Honda shop over winter, and I fix some of the small things and get all new plastic; it will be good for another 20 years.

Adjusting the (very hard to turn) steering should be simple now that I have it appart and have seen it.

I just need to buy a big ajustable wrench and it should be easy (I hope).

Be poor, be debt free and live happy

Glenn

[Clivester]

Could be that the bearings have gone bad on the starter motor. More drag = more amps required to spin the motor up enough to engage the starter gear through centrifugal force.

If it turns out the terminals and connections are OK, its possible to replace the the ball bearing at the front of the starter without too much trouble and oil the bushing at the other end. Take your old bearing into a bearing supply place for a match or take the ID/OD/width dimensions in metric to order a replacement online. A good soaking of the starter gear (Bendix) and re-greasing wouldn't hurt either.

Much cheaper than a new starter.

And Bear is right - you need to charge the new battery at least overnight with a 1 amp charger - best type is one that does auto-off or switches to trickle after reaching full charge.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

There is a "Gotcha" at the belt cover. It seems on some Spree and later models, the gasket maintains correct spacing for the starter Bendix. Without it, its shaft is pinched when you tighten down the belt cover.

To test, temporarily loosen the front belt cover bolts and see if your issue persists.

A gasket can be made from AutoParts gasket stock I suspect the 1mm thick stuff should be plenty.

[gaburley]

Hi (not for the last time I hope);

I gave away my Spree last night. Well I advertized it for $150 and had a buyer within minutes.

When he got there he pointed out many other things wrong and offered me $40 for it. I told him that it was an insult but I would give it to him for no charge as I am sure that I would just get the same treatment from everyone else.

What I should have done was to give it (or offer it) to the local Spree owner on this board.

I just did not think.

I have my eye on a Honda Mascot, but at $795, it has been adverized for about a year, so it probably is not worth it. Mind you it is still there and I could have it payed off before the winter (while it sits in the sellers yard); then send it to the Honda shop for the winter for nessesary repairs.

I love living debt free (I have a $700 debt load), but that limits what I can afford.

But what is life without adventure.

Have a happy and see you all in the future.

Be poor, be det free and live happy

Glenn