How To : Clean An Electric Starter

Cleaning An Electric Starter

I thought I'd make sure my starter's not full of dust or anything and share some more pics/info.

Mark both halves of the case by one bolt to ensure correct polarity when it is reassembled. Remove the 2 bolts in the cover (6mm socket, sometimes Phillips head).


With the bolts out the halves can be separated. Be careful not to lose the springs if they fall out.


I sprayed this out thoroughly with contact cleaner and wiped over the brush surfaces with a fine 3M sanding pad.




It may feel like the armature is attached, but it is only held in position by magnets. It can simply be pulled straight out.


I cleaned the armature and the inside of the cover out with contact cleaner. I used the 3M sanding pad once again to gently clean off the commutator (copper section that the brushes contact).


With all of that cleaned off it can be reassembled. Be careful to make sure the springs and brushes are installed in their grooves. The hardest part of the whole job is getting both brushes into their grooves and then sliding the armature back in. It helps to have a small flat screwdriver handy.


Once that's in, just line up the marks you made at the beginning and bolt the cover back on.