Starter going out...help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Re: Starter going out...help! (dath)
alas my troubles will never end. I got in the car this morning to go to church and when i turned the key....nothing. Ive had the starter tested, it was ok. I replaced the ignition switch. Now i dont know what to do. I guess its wiring. Maybe i should just take it to a mechanic im getting tired of this problem. :banghead:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: Starter going out...help! (OBL1V1ON)
Well the results are in...
I got it out took it to autozone. They wanted to test it so i let them. It turns out the starter is fine. The guys up there think it may have been a connection problem or the ignition switch. So i cleaned up all the contacts and and put it back in. It started like it always does. The only thing they said is if i turn the key and nothing happens again, get under there and patch a jump from the ground to the main terminal and if the starts truns on contact from the main terminal to the ground its the ignition switch. Just thought id run that by you guys.
Well heres the latest news. I got the manual out and found the switch and changed it. So far the car starts every time. However, it did that for a day after i cleaned the contacts. Hopfully it will keep starting. Thnx for the help guys, you are invaluable.
_______
alas my troubles will never end. I got in the car this morning to go to church and when i turned the key....nothing. Ive had the starter tested, it was ok. I replaced the ignition switch. Now i dont know what to do. I guess its wiring. Maybe i should just take it to a mechanic im getting tired of this problem. .
I got it out took it to autozone. They wanted to test it so i let them. It turns out the starter is fine. The guys up there think it may have been a connection problem or the ignition switch. So i cleaned up all the contacts and and put it back in. It started like it always does. The only thing they said is if i turn the key and nothing happens again, get under there and patch a jump from the ground to the main terminal and if the starts truns on contact from the main terminal to the ground its the ignition switch. Just thought id run that by you guys.
Well heres the latest news. I got the manual out and found the switch and changed it. So far the car starts every time. However, it did that for a day after i cleaned the contacts. Hopfully it will keep starting. Thnx for the help guys, you are invaluable.
_______
alas my troubles will never end. I got in the car this morning to go to church and when i turned the key....nothing. Ive had the starter tested, it was ok. I replaced the ignition switch. Now i dont know what to do. I guess its wiring. Maybe i should just take it to a mechanic im getting tired of this problem. .
A good replacement starter would really help here but could be a waste of hard earned cash if it’s an open wire somewhere. I can't recommend that Auto Zone method of shorting the main terminal to ground as connecting the main positive lead to ground might start welding metal together. Maybe an assistant could hold the ignition in start while you wiggle the starters ignition wires. Also you need to see about 12 volts DC at the solenoid – I think it’s the purple “P” wire but don’t have a shop manual here to verify, well it’s either the purple “P” or yellow “S” wire and please look it up – while the switch is in start. If you have/can use a voltmeter you may be able to locate an open (or even a ground). Just one step at a time and maybe even write down/record what you’ve done.
Good luck. :seeya
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 339
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From: Levittown Pa
Re: Starter going out...help! (OBL1V1ON)
When you say they tested it I don't think these a load put on the windings remember under load the winding get hot and the residance goes up hence it can't turn the motor yea contacts are important but if the gear is moving out or forward the starter is what turns the motor.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 109
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Re: Starter going out...help! (cardo0)
when i took the starter out i didnt clean the contacts inside the solenoid. I just cleaned outside terminals. But thnx cardo0 i will try the steps youve suggested. I did notice something funny when we tested the starter at autozone(as did the guy testing it) the test machine readout said, "Low voltage"....dont ask me what that means.
