Need Help With This
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
Need Help With This
I'm having a starting prob with my car. About nine of ten times when the key is turned the starter pinion will extend but it won't turn the motor over. If I keep doing this it will eventually start right up. The battery was fully charged and I had it load tested. Test was good. Any thoughts on what may be going on?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Sounds like the starter. Get under the car and tap the starter can with a hammer. Then try, and see if it fires right up.
If you say the pinion extends then the switch is working and it's getting the start signal. The solenoid may be the culprit.
If you say the pinion extends then the switch is working and it's getting the start signal. The solenoid may be the culprit.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
It could also be a bad ground wire/connection.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
When you engage the starter the solenoid will extend the starter drive (pinion) and force a copper washer to the internal contacts of the positive cable and the internal terminal that goes to the starter motor to make it spin. Commonly that washer will become burnt over time and not make a good connection to the motor. Therefore the loud click, the solenoid moving the drive or "bendix" toward the flywheel but the starter motor not actually turning. New starter will fix that. But as stated earlier, a bad ground or bad positive connection could have caused the arcing( burning )of the copper contact washer in the solenoid.
Last edited by '75; Jan 6, 2008 at 07:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
When you engage the starter the solenoid will extend the starter drive (pinion) and force a copper washer to the internal contacts of the positive cable and the internal terminal that goes to the starter motor to make it spin. Commonly that washer will become burnt over time and not make a good connection to the motor. Therefore the loud click, the solenoid moving the drive or "bendix" toward the flywheel but the starter motor not actually turning. New starter will fix that. But as stated earlier, a bad ground or bad positive connection could have caused the arcing( burning )of the copper contact washer in the solenoid.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
If it turns out to be the starter I'll be PO'd. Its a new starter but its been in the box for over a year. So...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
If it is indeed new, and you just put it in...It may be a shim problem.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
Thanks, Ced
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Check both of the cables from the battery, not just the connections. Check the cables for swelling inside the shielding which would indicate corrosion is taking place. Replace if damaged.