Starter Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Starter Question
I just got my first Vette (1979 L-82) a few weeks back. I have noticed when I go to start it, I hear a "sparking" sound at times. It usually is slow to crank when this happens, and has not cranked a couple of times.
My brother used to own this Vette, and he says there may be a loose wire on the starter where it does not have a good connection. I'm thinking maybe a ground strap.
Anyone familiar with this that might have some suggestions ??
Thanks!!!!
Phil
My brother used to own this Vette, and he says there may be a loose wire on the starter where it does not have a good connection. I'm thinking maybe a ground strap.
Anyone familiar with this that might have some suggestions ??
Thanks!!!!
Phil
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Be safe, when working on the starter always disconnect the battery.
Check, clean and tighten the starter connections, checking the Pos & Neg connections.
Replacement starters can be had at any Auto Store, NAPA-Autozone-Advanced, etc for under $100 and Mini starters $175.
Good luck.
Check, clean and tighten the starter connections, checking the Pos & Neg connections.
Replacement starters can be had at any Auto Store, NAPA-Autozone-Advanced, etc for under $100 and Mini starters $175.
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 5
From: punta gorda florida
Be safe, when working on the starter always disconnect the battery.
Check, clean and tighten the starter connections, checking the Pos & Neg connections.
Replacement starters can be had at any Auto Store, NAPA-Autozone-Advanced, etc for under $100 and Mini starters $175.
Good luck.
Check, clean and tighten the starter connections, checking the Pos & Neg connections.
Replacement starters can be had at any Auto Store, NAPA-Autozone-Advanced, etc for under $100 and Mini starters $175.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
clean the battery POS/NEG battery connections. Especially the negative ground connection at the frames transmission crossover right under the battery. No body ever cleans that connection and your describing conditions caused by it....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
and the cable that runs from the right frame motor mount to the block.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I had the slow cranking, and stomach sinking feeling of being in some strange place and feeling like I wasn't going to be able to get the car started again, not fun. On mine, it turned out that someone had boogered up the threads on the solenoid real good such that the connections were not tight and solid. I think it was like $20 for the new solenoid, the starter itself was fine. Since I replaced the solenoid, I have not had the problem again (knock wood).
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Possibilities are: loose power cable to starter solenoid; loose grounding cable; damaged/defective/worn-out contacts in starter solenoid; worn-out brushes in starter; internal shorting of components inside starter [one of the two casing retention bolts comes very close to one of the brushes...improper assembly could cause those to arc].
If you check out the cables/connections and can not determine the cause, I suggest that you drop the starter and solenoid and inspect them internally for your problem. They are relatively easy to disassemble and inexpensive to rebuild...if you do the work. You can buy new brushes for the starter and a rebuild kit for your solenoid at NAPA stores.
If you check out the cables/connections and can not determine the cause, I suggest that you drop the starter and solenoid and inspect them internally for your problem. They are relatively easy to disassemble and inexpensive to rebuild...if you do the work. You can buy new brushes for the starter and a rebuild kit for your solenoid at NAPA stores.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I think I found my problem. I went under the hatch and addressed the battery first. This car has a power disconnect switch on top of the battery. I got checking, and the connection was loose. Also a loose connection on the positive terminal. I took all connections apart and cleaned. I also bought a new terminal for the positive side. Re-stripped wires to make a better connection, and then tightened them all down properly. Car is firing up now without any hesitation. If it keeps doing this, then I guess I found my problem. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions that helped to get me thinking and checking the proper places.
Phil
Phil