Sonik bendix/starting problem

Hiro Miyata · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

First of all, I am new to this site and have tried searching for this problem I have.
I have an older Sonik motor that has a starting problem. Battery is full. Starter is fine, but seems a bit weak even with new brushes. It ran perfectly fine until trouble came when the clutch broke, but thats another story. After replacing the clutch, when trying to start, the bendix will engage the flywheel maybe once or twice then immediately retract making the starter free spin. Once in a while, it will actually engage for the entire time I hold the button down, but so far all it does is retract.
Can the bendix become weak? I even took the flywheel off and tested the bendix by it self. It shot right out and stayed there. Seems like it doesn't have enough force to turn the motor over more than once. That and it was quite greasy everywhere.

Any advice would be appreciated!!! I'm about to chunk this motor from frustration.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:41 pm Post subject:

Any teeth missing or worn on the aluminum flywheel starter gear?
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Hiro Miyata · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Nope. It was also changed to a steel flywheel gear since the aluminum one started getting eaten up

Oscar Biondi · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:18 pm Post subject:

I had a similar problem with a leopard. The bendix would engage and almost immediately retract and spin freely. Replaced the starter. Still did the same thing. Turned out to be corrosion on the starter's power wire connector. Make sure power and ground connections are clean and tight.

Tom Sekey · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:41 am Post subject:

Its the starter. It needs to spin a minimum rpm to stay enguaged. if the bushing in the can is bad or the magnets are week it wont work.

Hiro Miyata · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Thanks guys, it's been a while on this thread.

I recently changed out the starter, and voila! Starts right up now. Everything needs to be in perfect harmony for the old Sonik motor to fire up.

Hiro Miyata · Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 7

Thanks guys, it's been a while on this thread.

I recently changed out the starter, and voila! Starts right up now. Everything needs to be in perfect harmony for the old Sonik motor to fire up.