Starter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Bolingbrook Illinois
Starter?
Twice in the last week I went for a little cruise. After the cruise there was a breif period of inactivity (about a half hour). When I went to restart I got nothing from the starter. No click, no attempt to crank etc. With the help of a jump and a couple of whacks on the starter with a hammer it started right up. I have a brand new Die-Hard that shows fully charged.
My baby is a '78 L-82 with minor mods (cam, intake and carb)
Does it sound like Sticking Starter Syndrome?
Thanks
My baby is a '78 L-82 with minor mods (cam, intake and carb)
Does it sound like Sticking Starter Syndrome?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor WA
Originally Posted by doug.storch
I have a brand new Die-Hard that shows fully charged.
BTW, while replacing the starter, I also found that my 31 year old battery ground (negative) cable was pretty corroded, and the corrosion had spread deeply into the cable itself. That may have contributed to the battery not recharging fully. The good folks at NAPA built me a new heavy "0" gauge cable with frame ground fitting for $7. New battery+new ground cable=perfect starting.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Kentucky
I have found it to be a lot less stressful just to replace the entire starter. I like AC Delco, I have never had a problem with any of there parts. While you are under the car you need to replace the battery cables as well. You should be able to do the entire job for less that $50.00. Not including the battery.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: UK without vette :(
Did my starter about 2 weeks ago, total of only 2 hrs including the trip to the auto parts store, no problems with getting it out wrt the exhaust, so should be an easy job, the bracket support that bolt to the underbody was the only bolt that was a bit of a pain. If it is shimmed make sure you use the same shims that were in there to begin with. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by kenko74
I just solved the exact same problem this weekend with a new battery. When I went to "start," there was no click or nothing. My relatively new battery showed fully charged (I fell victim to the "green float indicator showing green" check), so I assumed the battery was O.K. But a voltage check at the starter showed only 10 volts. Everything else electrical in the car worked. The fact that you didn't get a "click" at your solenoid to me sounds like not enough voltage to engage it.
BTW, while replacing the starter, I also found that my 31 year old battery ground (negative) cable was pretty corroded, and the corrosion had spread deeply into the cable itself. That may have contributed to the battery not recharging fully. The good folks at NAPA built me a new heavy "0" gauge cable with frame ground fitting for $7. New battery+new ground cable=perfect starting.
BTW, while replacing the starter, I also found that my 31 year old battery ground (negative) cable was pretty corroded, and the corrosion had spread deeply into the cable itself. That may have contributed to the battery not recharging fully. The good folks at NAPA built me a new heavy "0" gauge cable with frame ground fitting for $7. New battery+new ground cable=perfect starting.
There was nothing wrong with either the old or the new starter. Failure to take precautions and correctly diagnose the problem always ends up this way. If your guessing as most people do, get a pro on the problem and save yourself some money and grief. 
PS, if it will start with a jump, more likely than not the starter is ok.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Bolingbrook Illinois
I appreciate the feedback. I did check and the alternator is putting out 14.8 and the disconnected battery checks 12.2.
I think it is starter time, anyone tried CRV starters?
I think it is starter time, anyone tried CRV starters?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Kentucky
Had the same problem last year on my 73, Replace the starter with an AC Delco, replaced both cables and the battery. I have not had any problems after that, I think the starter was under $30.00 and the cables were around $7.00 each. The new battery was the major cost, but your get what you pay for...
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Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
St. Jude Donor '09
I agree with starting from the top and working your way down. You may have a bad cell in the battery. This would show plenty of volts until there is draw on the power. It may be something as simple as a ground wire. Check the ground to the battery and also ck the ground to from the chasis to the block. These cars need a ground strap from chasis to block due to the fiberglass. If it does it when its only been driven, then it may very well be the starter or the starter solenoid. A quick way to find out, is the next time it does it, try to hit the starter with some water. If it starts when the starter is cooled down then its time to replace it.
Good luck,
Andrew
Good luck,
Andrew
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Originally Posted by EddiePear
Had the same problem last year on my 73, Replace the starter with an AC Delco, replaced both cables and the battery. I have not had any problems after that, I think the starter was under $30.00 and the cables were around $7.00 each. The new battery was the major cost, but your get what you pay for...
Let us know how long the $30 starter lasted.
