So during bench testing the starter gear extended out to its working position and spun?

 

Yes it did, I think that's why I'm so baffled. Now that it's fully assembled again I can't see what's happening. I can disassemble again, which I'll need to anyway, but I'm afraid it will be one of those can't duplicate it when you can see it scenarios. Maybe not but I'm a bit frustrated with it at the moment.

 

Maybe the bendix is slipping, like the Ford starters did back the 70's.

 

I don't get the Ford reference since I was born in 69 and didn't start working on cars until the 80's. I did notice that there is quite a bit of slop allowing the bendix assembly to move back and forth. When I say quite a bit I'm meaning enough to hear it if you shake it, maybe in actuality a 1/16 or less. I didn't measure it so this is just throwing a number out there but I'm not sure if this intended by design or not.

 

Slipping... the bendix extends and engages the flywheel teeth. The starter armature spins, but the bendix drive slips and does not turn the flywheel.

The bendix is a one way clutch, if this simple starter uses a bendix. Could be a fixed gear.

 

So I took it apart again and observed it closer this time. When the button is depressed the gear extends fully as it should BUT it then retracts about a second later. The shaft still continues to spin so the only thing I can think is it slows down enough to not keep it extended. Not something observable by eye but the only thing that makes sense which would mean the motor itself has issues. Guess I'll be buying another one whenever they're available. I really miss my old Yard Machine blower, 15 years old when I got rid of it and I only had to change the oil and grease on occasion. This Ariens is a new problem whenever I go to use it, going to have to buy another blower to have as backup since this thing is so unreliable.

 

So I took it apart again and observed it closer this time. When the button is depressed the gear extends fully as it should BUT it then retracts about a second later. The shaft still continues to spin so the only thing I can think is it slows down enough to not keep it extended. Not something observable by eye but the only thing that makes sense which would mean the motor itself has issues.

Lets take that one step further, if that were the case the flywheel would at least begin to turn. Something else is still going on. In any case the starter no load RPM is probably not representative when in actual use?

 

Its nice to have multiple machines. Tool for every job.

 

You could see the flywheel bump when the starter was engaged but definitely did not turn it by any appreciable amount. Anyway, found and ordered one last night at the low cost of $190....yes that's sarcasm. It is what it is I suppose.

 

Once you get the new one on let us know if it fixes it. If it does it's likely just the bendix is bad and you can either hang on to the old one for parts or replace the bendix and sell it.

 

I don't think it's the bendix but even if it were, where would you buy the replacement for it? I've only found the complete starter assembly and nothing for individual parts of the starter. I think these are the new throw away starters and not the old Tecumseh/Briggs where you could get just about any part you needed.

 

Unfortunately, being throwaway is a possibility but I'd try Ariens customer service to see if they have a breakdown or PN. If they don't have anything I'd try customer service at two or three of the on line parts stores like partstree, searspartsdirect, Jackssmallengines, ...