The starter motor is an essential part of any Hyster truck that uses an internal combustion engine. The starter motor provides the mechanical power necessary to start the forklift's combustion process. Starter motors are durable and reliable, so you can count on them to get the job done. But, like any other component, they may need to be replaced at some point. If your Hyster forklift has starting problems, it's probably time to get a new starter motor. At Lift Parts Warehouse, we want to help you in this task by providing you with all the information you need about these devices so that you can purchase your new Hyster starter motor with confidence.
How do a Hyster Forklift Starter Work?
A Hyster forklift starter motor is responsible for getting a Hyster lift truck's engine going on. When anyone turns the key in the ignition, the current from the battery goes to the starter motor. This makes a small gear turn which meshes with a bigger gear on the flywheel. As the starter motor turns, so does the engine's flywheel. Eventually, this will cause the engine to start. Starter motors are built to provide a lot of mechanical force to turn over an engine that's cold or hasn't been used in a while.
In most starter motors, we can find the following components:
Solenoid
Lever fork
Commutator
Brushes
Field coil
Armature
Pinion gear
Main Hyster forklift Starter parts
To start the starter motor, a small amount of current must flow to the solenoid. The solenoid will act as a switch, connecting the starter motor to the battery. A strong magnetic field is generated as the current flows through the solenoid. This allows the lever to move the starter pinion forward, coupling it to the flywheel.
Electrical current passes through the commutator and brushes to the field coil. The field coil creates a strong electromagnetic force that turns the rotor. Because the pinion is connected to the rotor, so when it spins, does the pinion. When the pinion rotates, it forces the forklift's flywheel to move. If you want to see this process in more detail, please watch this video:
Where is the Hyster Forklift Starter Motor Located?
Most Hyster forklift starters can be found attached to one side of the forklift's engine, beneath the cylinder head. They are small cylindrical devices that use electrical energy from the battery to start the engine. They are usually attached to the mounting plates with a few bolts. Depending on which Hyster forklift model we are talking about, it is possible that to access it fully, we may first detach the oil filter from the engine
Find the starter motor of your Hyster lift truck easily
The starter motor contains a solenoid, a coil of wire that generates a magnetic field when electricity passes through it. When this happens, the magnetic field activates the starter motor, which turns the engine's flywheel.
What Can Cause a Hyster Forklift Starter to Fail?
Knowing the essential parts that make up the starter motor of a Hyster forklift and how they work helps us understand why it might stop working. The starter motor is a small but strong gear that pushes the engine's flywheel to start it. This causes the pistons to move, and by combining fuel, air, and a spark, the engine can start the combustion process. Although jump starters are robust and durable devices, they are not exempt from damage. There are a few reasons why a jump starter might become useless over time. Below are the most common causes of a Hyster large engine starter motor requiring replacement.
Most Common Causes of Failure of a Hyster Forklift Starter
Electrical Connection Faulty. The starter motor relies on the battery's electricity to start the lift truck. The starter motor will not work well if the electrical connections are not good. Forcing its use under these conditions will considerably decrease its lifespan.
Bad Brushes. The brushes in a DC motor tend to wear out over time. This is an easy problem to fix. You would only need to change the worn brushes for new ones before the problem becomes more prolonged than it should.
Rust and Corrosion. Starters can be affected by moisture and corrosive agents. If the copper coils rust or corrode, current flow will be interrupted. When this happens, it might be time to buy a new device.
Solenoid Faulty. The most vulnerable part of a starter is its solenoid. If this part doesn't work right, there can be no communication between the battery and the starter's field coil.
Worn Pinion. The pinion gear is strong, but it can wear out over time. If the teeth on the pinion gear cannot turn the engine flywheel, the truck engine will not start.
Poor Installation. This device transfers a large amount of mechanical force to the engine flywheel. If it is not properly coupled to the engine plate, the piston can become misaligned, preventing the teeth from being correctly connected.
What Happens When a Hyster Forklift Starter Motor Fails?
The obvious answer to this question would be to say that the engine simply won't start or is having difficulty starting, but keep in mind that other elements are involved in the forklift's starting process. The source of the problem could be a dead battery, a bad alternator, or a faulty ignition switch, so concluding that the problem lies in a defective starter is not always that simple. The good news is that several symptoms can lead us to tell if the problem may be a bad starter motor, which we will break down below.
Loud clicking Noises. This means that there is not enough electricity going to the starter. This may be because of a faulty device's electrical connections or a dead battery. Later we will tell you how to get out of the doubt.
Grinding Noises. This may mean that the gear inside the starter is worn, or there may be a problem with the lever that moves the pinion forward. Another possibility is a problem with the teeth on the engine flywheel.
Buzzing Noises. If all you hear is a buzzing noise when you try to start your Hyster lift truck, you're likely listening to the sound of electricity traveling to the starter motor but not enough to get it to start. This is often the result of poor electrical connections and may not be a starter motor issue.
Test Your Hyster Forklift Starter
Make sure the battery is fully charged.
Check the Mitsubishi forklift starter electrical connections. Please ensure they're clean and tight.
Set your starter on a bench or in an isolated spot. Remember that you will be working with an electromechanical device, so ensure you take all necessary safety measures.
Attach the negative battery's cable to the starter case.
Attach the positive battery's cable to the back side of the solenoid part. (To avoid a mistake, we suggest you check the video.)
Jumper the starter motor start terminal with the positive battery cable connection to start the test.
In order to better understand this procedure, we recommend that you watch the following video:
Get Your New Hyster Forklift Starter with Lift Parts Warehouse
When it comes to finding Hyster forklift starter motors, there's no better place to look than Lift Parts Warehouse. We carry a wide variety of starter motors compatible with many different Hyster forklift models. Our online catalog makes it easy to find the suitable starter motor for your needs, and our experienced staff is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Whether you're looking for a replacement starter motor or just want to keep a spare on hand, we have what you're looking for.
Whether you're looking for a replacement starter motor or just want to keep a spare on hand, we have what you're looking for. So browse our selection today and get the Hyster forklift starter motor you need.
Takeaways
The starter motor is an indispensable device for those Hyster forklifts powered by internal combustion engines. It is the element responsible for transforming the battery's electrical energy into mechanical energy to crank the forklift's engine and start its combustion process. It is a powerful electromechanical device that can wear out over time. Now that you know their significant faulty symptoms, it would be easy to know when it's the right time to replace them. Remember that changing a defective starter motor in time will prevent further problems. Do not hesitate to contact Lift Parts Warehouse services when you require a new starter motor for your Hyster forklift. We assure you that your Hyster truck can function at its peak performance with our spare parts.