problem with starter, what do you think?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
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From: Katy TX
problem with starter, what do you think?
I put a new starter in and it appears that the battery is weak, to weak to turn the starter over with a lot of force. The battery is fully charged, and everything is wired correctly. When I turn it over it just doesnt seem like theres enought torque to really turn the motor over well, although it will crank after a while. Bad starter?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
Re: problem with starter, what do you think? (bhmyers)
A couple of things come to mind...
Are you sure the battery is fully charged? It may show enough volts but not have enough amps to start the car, I've seen that many times. Put a voltmeter across the terminals and check the voltage, then crank the car and see if the voltage drops. If it goes down below 11 or 12 volts the battery isn't charged enough to start the car. If it drops a little, or not at all, it isn't the battery. Check your grounds really well, and your battery cables. I've seen those cause problems many times.
Also, did you check the clearance between the starter gears and the flywheel teeth? I think the clearance is supposed to be something like 3/16" when not engaged, but I don't remember off the top of my head. If the clearance is too tight I think it could cause this problem.
Good luck!
Jeff
Are you sure the battery is fully charged? It may show enough volts but not have enough amps to start the car, I've seen that many times. Put a voltmeter across the terminals and check the voltage, then crank the car and see if the voltage drops. If it goes down below 11 or 12 volts the battery isn't charged enough to start the car. If it drops a little, or not at all, it isn't the battery. Check your grounds really well, and your battery cables. I've seen those cause problems many times.
Also, did you check the clearance between the starter gears and the flywheel teeth? I think the clearance is supposed to be something like 3/16" when not engaged, but I don't remember off the top of my head. If the clearance is too tight I think it could cause this problem.
Good luck!
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Re: problem with starter, what do you think? (bhmyers)
Since Vette starters can be a PITA, I'd first try another battery. If you still have the same problem, then drop the tranny dust cover and check your starter to fly wheel clearances. I had to put a couple of shims under my starter to get mine correct. Hope this helps. :cheers:
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Boyertown Pa
Re: problem with starter, what do you think? (bhmyers)
Did you buy a new starter or rebuilt? Sometimes rebuilts are not the way to go. As they only put the stuff in that is bad and throw a paint job on it.
I would check the gravity of the battery first with a hydrometer. It should be 1250 to 1300. But all the cells should be in the same range.If you have one that is much lower than the rest you have a bad battery.
That done I would hook an ammeter in series at the battery pos. terminal and turn the starter over. If you can get an induction one that would be better then you just hav eto hang it over the pos. wire aand check the starter draw in amps. Check it against specs and ther you go.
Make sure all connections are clean and the battery posts clean also if your using a top mount.
I would check the gravity of the battery first with a hydrometer. It should be 1250 to 1300. But all the cells should be in the same range.If you have one that is much lower than the rest you have a bad battery.
That done I would hook an ammeter in series at the battery pos. terminal and turn the starter over. If you can get an induction one that would be better then you just hav eto hang it over the pos. wire aand check the starter draw in amps. Check it against specs and ther you go.
Make sure all connections are clean and the battery posts clean also if your using a top mount.
