Starter Repair

[ajbremer]

Today I'm going to attempt to remove my Festiva Manual transmission starter, disassemble it, clean it, and hopefully repair a no-start situation.

First I'm going to check to make sure the command wire going to the starter is getting voltage when the key is turned fully on. Then I'll know that the problem is not within that section of wire and relay.

At first, when my starter wouldn't turn over, I gave it a tap with the end of my socket handle and it started. I did that 3 or 4 times and now it doesn't work when I smack it any more. I believe my problem is not with the pinion gear but with carbon build up, junk, oil, and deposits, around the solenoid.

I've found out that a Festiva manual transmission starter is not the same as an automatic transmission starter and I'm guessing probably due to the way it mounts? If that's the case, maybe I can just use the solenoid from the automatic transmission Festiva and swap it with the manual transmission starter?...we'll see.

[Movin]

You can unsolder the solenoid and turn things around so you can use the unused portion of those parts. Plan on brushes at least for the motor.

[ajbremer]

I spent about 2 hours cleaning up the inside parts of the starter. The main armature is very loose around the outside magnets that are in the shell and the brushes are worn very badly. I cleaned it all up and put it back in but it's still bad. Guess it's just time for a new starter.

[Bert]

You are quite correct in that auto tranny starters are not compatible with manual tranny starters. I'm impressed that you tried to rebuild one but now you'll discover that factory rebuilds via NAPA etc are not outrageous price-wise anyway.

[ajbremer]

Ok,

Now I'm wondering that if I go get a starter from an automatic festiva (at my local junkyard), will the main body of it fit the manual's nose piece? If the mounting situations are the difference then maybe the main body is the same. Also, maybe the solenoid portions are the same too? I'm thinking about going to check it out tomorrow and see...then we'll all know.

[Bert]

Ok,

Now I'm wondering that if I go get a starter from an automatic festiva (at my local junkyard), will the main body of it fit the manual's nose piece? If the mounting situations are the difference then maybe the main body is the same. Also, maybe the solenoid portions are the same too? I'm thinking about going to check it out tomorrow and see...then we'll all know.

If you are going to experiment make darn sure not to pay top dollar for what you're buying. Likely the inner workings of Festy starters are the same but a couple of hours work having to (try to) adapt things is not a money saver unless you are unemployed and collecting "pogey" (eastern Cdn. term for gov't unemployment insurance). Now, if your stunt works that will allow me (for one) to not have to throw away the 2-3 spare auto starters I've gathered over the years despite running manual tranny cars.

[ajbremer]

I'm sure I wouldn't pay top dollar for the starter out of a junker. I've been there before and the guy gave me a real good price for some other small Festiva items. It would be pretty cool just to get it for all of our information here. I'll go check it out and let ya'll know.

[ajbremer]

I made 5 Ford Festiva Starter Motor Cleaning Videos

These videos were done with my Festiva starter motor from a manual transmission with 342,000 miles on it (I guess the starter had a good life).

Side Note: After cleaning up the starter motor in these videos, it still wouldn't work, it's just too worn out. I don't regret that I took it apart and cleaned it up though. I got to know the parts to the inside of the Festiva starter motor and cleaning one that don't work may in fact make it work again.

I'm also posting a couple videos in this 'Repair Help Forum' called Starter Swap so be on the look out for it.

Here's the Festiva Starter Motor cleaning videos:

Part 1 of 5
Part 2 of 5
Part 3 of 5
Part 4 of 5
Part 5 of 5