Starter Problems
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Starter Problems
When I turn the key, the starter always clicks so there is power getting to it. The problem is that it does not always engage and spin the engine. Not sure what is causing this. I just replaced the starter thinking it was the starter or the soleniod. This did not help.
The old starter sometimes wouldn't spin at all. The new one spins every 4-8 times I turn the key.
Any thoughts on why this is happening.
The old starter sometimes wouldn't spin at all. The new one spins every 4-8 times I turn the key.
Any thoughts on why this is happening.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 52
From: Dayton, Ohio
First would be clean battery connections...you probably did that.Make sure your negative ground cable where it attaches to the frame is clean and the cable is not all swelled up.Is there a difference when car is hot or cold?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
You have verified Good cable connections, including the Starter Gnd. strap.
You did check starter gear drive clearance to flywheel ?
and shim properly ? about 1 small paper clip clearance.
You did check starter gear drive clearance to flywheel ?
and shim properly ? about 1 small paper clip clearance.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 52
From: Dayton, Ohio
Have you done this paper clip check? How do you do that? I think in all my years I've only had to shim a half dozen starters because I rebuild the ones that came off the car.I just add shims till it "sounds" good.I looked at doing the measurement once but it looked like a PITA to do so I just used my old method.Do you disconnect the starter from the solenoid(so the armature wont turn),engage solenoid and then measure with the paper clip or am I making this too difficult?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
with the starter gear fully engaged into the Flywheel. ( manualy )
you should have a slight clearance between the flywheel and starter gear.
It is harder to get at, and view on the vehicle.
Sometimes you can manually pull / pry the starter gear out.
You only want power to push the solenoid, NOT the motor.
you should have a slight clearance between the flywheel and starter gear.
It is harder to get at, and view on the vehicle.
Sometimes you can manually pull / pry the starter gear out.
You only want power to push the solenoid, NOT the motor.
Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 31, 2008 at 03:21 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
Have you done this paper clip check? How do you do that? I think in all my years I've only had to shim a half dozen starters because I rebuild the ones that came off the car.I just add shims till it "sounds" good.I looked at doing the measurement once but it looked like a PITA to do so I just used my old method.Do you disconnect the starter from the solenoid(so the armature wont turn),engage solenoid and then measure with the paper clip or am I making this too difficult?
I once got a rebuilt starter form NAPA which included instructions on shimming and specified the proper clearance and said that a small paperclip could be used as an alternate measurement as stated by 69Vett.
Terry
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 52
From: Dayton, Ohio
with the starter gear fully engaged into the Flywheel. ( manualy )
you should have a slight clearance between the flywheel and starter gear.
It is harder to get at, and view on the vehicle.
Sometimes you can manually pull / pry the starter gear out.
You only want power to push the solenoid, NOT the motor.
you should have a slight clearance between the flywheel and starter gear.
It is harder to get at, and view on the vehicle.
Sometimes you can manually pull / pry the starter gear out.
You only want power to push the solenoid, NOT the motor.
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