Sky-Tec Starters

Click here for more information on Continental or Lycoming Starters. 

Performance Issues

If your starter isn't performing, start with some basic testing.

Pretest Considerations: If possible, visually inspect the starter and/or interview pilots or operators for starting history. Indications of long cranking periods, burning odor or smoke from the starter, kickbacks, a cracked starter mount, a fast spinning starter with no prop movement, oil in starter, grinding noise, or a damaged ring gear are generally indications that the starter is in need of repair and the following tests will not be helpful. Jump to starter issues below for some guidance, but chances are you will need to replace or overhaul your starter.

WARNING: Before attempting any starter troubleshooting be certain to avoid standing in the propeller arc.

Test Procedure: The following testing procedure is most relevant to 12/14 and 24/28 volt Lycoming starters and some Continental starters that are low performing including slow cranking and/or failure to crank the engine over a compression stroke. If a starter is damaged by over-cranking or a stuck starter solenoid, voltage in step one may read below acceptable levels, thus incorrectly indicating a potential battery problem. Therefore, in such cases some consideration must be to the pretest conditions noted above, e.g., if it smells burned. If the only effect of energizing the starter results in an audible “click” with no prop movement, confirm step two to isolate the problem to the starter or starter contactor.

Step 1: Record voltage at the battery while cranking the starter

Are test results below 11V/22V?

• If YES, you may a questionable battery. See Testing Relevance above as a shroted starter will pull voltage down appreciably. However, if the starter rotates at all, this is generally not a shorted starter condition. At this point, you should address the battery issue, and there is no need to proceed with remaining troubleshooting.
• If NO, proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Record voltage at the starter while cranking the starter

Are test results below 10V/20V?

• If YES, the starter needs 10V/ 20V to operate properly. Suspect cables, terminals, and/or contactors. If the difference between Step 1 and Step 2 is more than two volts, proceed to Step 3.
• If NO, the voltage at the starter remains above 10V/ 20V and the starter doesn't seem to be performing properly, replace the starter or contact for support. 

Step 3: Record voltages between each and every cable terminal and across contactors while cranking the starter. 

Is there any drop in results more then 0.5V?

• If YES, correct any deficiency (terminals, contactors, switches)
• If NO, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Record resistance between battery & ground and starter & ground. 

Are any readings more then 0.2 ohms?

• If YES, clean or repair ground connections.
• If NO, replace starter or contact support.