Starter issues?

[Winkster 12]

Hi again.  My 77 C-120 is giving me issues.  I charger the battery and my buddy came over to create a two team solution that I found odd.  It often worked but it made me assume other issues. I got a new solenoid and new battery and get nothin' unless my buddy smacks the starter with a hammer. That worked occasionally but it's difficult to do by yourself.  Is a new starter the best route to go?  Should the coil be replaced at the same time?  What about a new ignition switch?  Any help is appreciated.  I'm REALLY dumb on electrical stuff

[stevasaurus 23,335]

I'm thinking that you have a "High Mount" starter.  That means the mounting bolts are under the starter.  That starter should never be hit with anything, especially a hammer.  Magnets are glued to the inside of the case and brake easily.  A broken magnet can jam the starter from turning and also can make your starter not function at all.  Check out this thread.  If you find you need another starter, put an ad in the Classified / Wanted Section.

 

[JohnD 145]

You might have a bad connection in the starter circuit.  Wiggle the wiring and see if anything is loose, especially the connections from the starter back to the battery (this is probably passing through the engine).  Loose connections are bad.  Its probably a good time to buy a cheap multimeter from HF and learn about conductivity and resistance. 

[squonk 44,036]

If the starter's been whacked with a hammer you might as well just get another one because it's probably junk now. I have a used High mount starter that I can test that I don't need that I can sell you CHEEP if you need it.

[pfrederi 18,771]

There is a sticker on Kohler Starters that says "DON"T HIT THEM"

[JohnD 145]

Maybe he got lucky it and it was a light whack that wiggled a loose connection and didn't' do any damage.  He could try jumping a battery directly to the starter and see if it spins.  That would point to wiring issues.