Starter fried...I think..
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Starter fried...I think..
I was driving home today, and it has been pretty hot. Was probably close to 100 outside, and I also have full length headers. Sometimes when it has hot the car has been giving me starting problems...I think it finally died now.
But could it be the starter? I tried to crank it....the engine sounds like its trying to turn over but it won't.. Does a starter sound lik a good diagnosis?
I was reading around here and some say when the starter went out the car did nothing? Mine tries to crank but just isn't doing it...
So if it is the starter....are they pretty easy to swap out?
But could it be the starter? I tried to crank it....the engine sounds like its trying to turn over but it won't.. Does a starter sound lik a good diagnosis?
I was reading around here and some say when the starter went out the car did nothing? Mine tries to crank but just isn't doing it...
So if it is the starter....are they pretty easy to swap out?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I went ahead and got another starter from AutoZone. Installed it.
Still doesn't start..is there any way I could mess up installation?
I hooked the big wire up right, and the little wire. (Only 2 wires.) And bolted it down.
I try starting it now...tries to crank, and now there is an additional noise...Maybe I didn't line it up on the flywheel correctly?
Still doesn't start..is there any way I could mess up installation?
I hooked the big wire up right, and the little wire. (Only 2 wires.) And bolted it down.
I try starting it now...tries to crank, and now there is an additional noise...Maybe I didn't line it up on the flywheel correctly?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 275
Likes: 6
From: NY
Seems like overheated starters and headers go together. Check previous posts on the forum. I have suggested that the Neg Batt terminal or start sol is at fault. Check for a voltage across your neg bat cable. Voltmeter from the neg bat term to the engine block. More than approx 1/8 V when starting = bad cable or connections. Place Voltmeter across the start sol +&- terms, voltmeter sould read near ZERO when starting. If more than approx 1/8V might be the brass ring in the sol needs scrubbing.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
The battery is a new Optima..and the connections are good...I get power to everything. It's just doing the same thing now...except making a clicking noise...maybe i didn't like the gear thing up with the fly wheel?
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
When I turn the ignition on the car, my battery doesn't go all the way up to 12-13...I'd guess maybe 11.(looking at my volt gauge in the car) When I try to crank it all the way, it drops down to 8.
So could my battery be the problem?
So could my battery be the problem?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Elgin Texas
It sounds like a very weak battery or bad connection. Try boosting the battery while starting to see if that's the problem. If you took your other starter off, then your local auto parts store should be able to check it for you to see if you had a fried starter. I think if you had your starter improperly aligned, it would do some serious grinding when trying to engage the flywheel. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
I think your original problem was heat soak. The starter absorbs a lot of heat from the headers, and it just can't crank the car over after it's hot. This has happened to MANY forum members' cars. There are a few different solutions. The cheapest would be to get your stock starter rebuilt and put some sort of heat shield on it. IMO, the best thing to do is put in a mini starter. They have gear reduction and spin a motor over very easily. They don't seem to be as effected by heat soak. With the new starter, it sounds like the teeth aren't meshing with the flywheel. They make shims for you to adjust the starter postion. I haven't had to do this ever, but I think there should be some threads on the forum that have gone over the procedure.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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Originally Posted by A C
I think your original problem was heat soak. The starter absorbs a lot of heat from the headers, and it just can't crank the car over after it's hot. This has happened to MANY forum members' cars. There are a few different solutions. The cheapest would be to get your stock starter rebuilt and put some sort of heat shield on it. IMO, the best thing to do is put in a mini starter. They have gear reduction and spin a motor over very easily. They don't seem to be as effected by heat soak. With the new starter, it sounds like the teeth aren't meshing with the flywheel. They make shims for you to adjust the starter postion. I haven't had to do this ever, but I think there should be some threads on the forum that have gone over the procedure.
Yeah, but I compared the starter I bought to the one that was on the engine, and they are the same. And the one that got heat soaked didn't have any shims. So I didn't put any on the new one.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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Originally Posted by 81corvette350
Yeah, but I compared the starter I bought to the one that was on the engine, and they are the same. And the one that got heat soaked didn't have any shims. So I didn't put any on the new one.
I went to AutoZone and had them check my battery...it is a good battery but their machine said it had a low charge! It's on my battery charger right now, so I hope that solves the problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 10
From: Scottsboro Alabama
Originally Posted by 81corvette350
Still won't crank...tried to jump start the car.
It has to be the starter.
Maybe when I installed it I didn't line up the flywheel correctly with the starter?
It has to be the starter.
Maybe when I installed it I didn't line up the flywheel correctly with the starter?
