Starter Clicking
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Starter Clicking
This just started and I wanted to get your guys opinions. Recently my starter clicks when trying to start like a low battery. I know my battery is good but it will still click click, turn over, click, click click. It will eventually start or run the battery down to where it needs a charge. This even happens after driving for a while. My alternator is putting out 14.5 volts and the battery holds 12.5 to 13 volts even after sitting for weeks at at time.
Makes it so I don't want to drive it somewhere and get stranded. I haven't tried starting with jumper cables yet to see if it does the same thing and my battery charger doesn't have a start mode. I did check the wires going to the starter and they are all tight. I did "technical tap" the solenoid the other day and each time I tried starting it after the tap it didn't do it. I suspect my solenoid is going bad but wanted to run this by you guys before crawling under and playing with it. Suggestions........and thanks!
Makes it so I don't want to drive it somewhere and get stranded. I haven't tried starting with jumper cables yet to see if it does the same thing and my battery charger doesn't have a start mode. I did check the wires going to the starter and they are all tight. I did "technical tap" the solenoid the other day and each time I tried starting it after the tap it didn't do it. I suspect my solenoid is going bad but wanted to run this by you guys before crawling under and playing with it. Suggestions........and thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Previously, when a fellow has starter issues I make a simple suggestion to get a new starter.
But I base that on my assumption the fellow has already verified his connections & grounds are viable.
I've repeatedly run afoul of some "ground-*****" because I suggest a new starter without first verifying grounds.
Again, I assume you have already verified your connections & grounds are good.
That said, install a new Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starter ... like what is OE on most vehicles produced in last 20-25 years.
But I base that on my assumption the fellow has already verified his connections & grounds are viable.
I've repeatedly run afoul of some "ground-*****" because I suggest a new starter without first verifying grounds.
Again, I assume you have already verified your connections & grounds are good.
That said, install a new Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starter ... like what is OE on most vehicles produced in last 20-25 years.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: USA
Most likely the starter, when doing your "technical tap", hit the starter body itself. Might need a solid "tap"! One other thing as far as grounds go, I've encountered this symptom when there was a decent rear main seal leak and the oil/grease build up between the starter and block was enough to compromise the starter being grounded properly! Good luck!
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Yes>>>Hitting the starter with the handle of a screwdriver or hammer was the old fashion way of troubleshooting it when I was a kid. Every mechanic I knew would tell me this. Its a chevy/ pontiac thing with a bad solenoid due to its location next to the exhaust. You can also jump across the solenoid to see if it still clicks better tapping it get the solenoid unstuck.
Burning Brakes
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Assuming all the grounds and connections have been checked and double checked, this sounds like a solenoid issue to me.
It is possible to remove it and clean the solenoid internals (you have to pull the starter first!) or replace the solenoid completely. In any event, you'll want check the terminals on the solenoid. A cheaper option than a new starter I think?
It is possible to remove it and clean the solenoid internals (you have to pull the starter first!) or replace the solenoid completely. In any event, you'll want check the terminals on the solenoid. A cheaper option than a new starter I think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 941
Likes: 435
From: Dutchess county New York
This just started and I wanted to get your guys opinions. Recently my starter clicks when trying to start like a low battery. I know my battery is good but it will still click click, turn over, click, click click. It will eventually start or run the battery down to where it needs a charge. This even happens after driving for a while. My alternator is putting out 14.5 volts and the battery holds 12.5 to 13 volts even after sitting for weeks at at time.
Makes it so I don't want to drive it somewhere and get stranded. I haven't tried starting with jumper cables yet to see if it does the same thing and my battery charger doesn't have a start mode. I did check the wires going to the starter and they are all tight. I did "technical tap" the solenoid the other day and each time I tried starting it after the tap it didn't do it. I suspect my solenoid is going bad but wanted to run this by you guys before crawling under and playing with it. Suggestions........and thanks!
Makes it so I don't want to drive it somewhere and get stranded. I haven't tried starting with jumper cables yet to see if it does the same thing and my battery charger doesn't have a start mode. I did check the wires going to the starter and they are all tight. I did "technical tap" the solenoid the other day and each time I tried starting it after the tap it didn't do it. I suspect my solenoid is going bad but wanted to run this by you guys before crawling under and playing with it. Suggestions........and thanks!
The reman starter I used would occasionally click and when I brought it back they put a lighter spring in the solenoid. The thing fires up instantly, every single time now.
Careful when you put the starter in. I must've bumped the flywheel dust shield. One of those little tabs that grabs the lip of the oil pan popped loose. Made a metallic ticking noise that was a p.i.t.a to track down. Easy fix.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Thanks everyone.
I did check all the grounds - pretty much the first thing on the checklist when dealing with Corvette electrical issues. The "technical tap" was on the solenoid not the starter for clarification. All the connection to the solenoid were checked and seem ok. I have shorty style headers so removing the solenoid will not be a big deal leaving the starter in place. I think I'll just go ahead and replace it as they are pretty cheap.
I did check all the grounds - pretty much the first thing on the checklist when dealing with Corvette electrical issues. The "technical tap" was on the solenoid not the starter for clarification. All the connection to the solenoid were checked and seem ok. I have shorty style headers so removing the solenoid will not be a big deal leaving the starter in place. I think I'll just go ahead and replace it as they are pretty cheap.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Warning about PMGR starter & Recommendation
Don't try that old "whack the starter housing" trick with the more-modern PMGR starters.
Instead of old-fashioned heavy field coils, PMGR starters have lighter, cast-extruded Permanent Magnets fitted tightly to inside of housing ...
... those Permanent Magnets are relatively brittle and can crack when housing is whacked ... any crack disrupts field; rendering starter unusable.
I KNOW this ... long ago I learned the hard way on mower with a PMGR starter.
Regardless, I recommend retrofit-replacement with PMGR starters because they are ...
... lighter (by about 1/2), smaller, powerful, efficient & inexpensive ... all with a time-tested record of reliability ... reasons OE converted to PMGR.
Instead of old-fashioned heavy field coils, PMGR starters have lighter, cast-extruded Permanent Magnets fitted tightly to inside of housing ...
... those Permanent Magnets are relatively brittle and can crack when housing is whacked ... any crack disrupts field; rendering starter unusable.
I KNOW this ... long ago I learned the hard way on mower with a PMGR starter.
Regardless, I recommend retrofit-replacement with PMGR starters because they are ...
... lighter (by about 1/2), smaller, powerful, efficient & inexpensive ... all with a time-tested record of reliability ... reasons OE converted to PMGR.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
I got the solenoid out and what I'm finding is a coat of what looks like metal powder in the bore of the solenoid and on the plunger itself. I've never put any grease on them. Should I use a little dielectric grease and see it that makes a difference or clean it all up and leave it dry?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Cleaned up the solenoid plunger and bore with emory cloth. Cleaned up the starter grounds. Applied a small amount of powdered graphite to the bore and plunger. Put it all back together and it started right up first crank. Now time will tell if that's the problem. I hope so as I've been hesitant to take her anywhere and get stranded.