Starter question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs CA
Starter question
Can the soleniod be replaced on a starter? The past 2 Sundays when I drove the car, after I stopped at a store for 5/10 minutes when I went to start the car, it did not turn, but I heard a small sound, I turned key off and tried again and it started right up. On the first occurance I thought I might have not turned the key all the way, but the second time I was sure I had. Is this a sign the solinoid is going, or is it a battery issue. I bring that up as both times the car sat for a week in the garage and the temps here have dropped below freezing of late. The battery is 2 years old.
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Intermittent Starter
I had the same symptoms and looked up the possibility of a solenoid replacement. There are lots of threads if you 'search' for 'starter' and some describe how to rehabilitate the solenoid for small $.
I decided to replace the starter/solenoid unit as it really wasn't intended to be repaired (lots of crimps rather than bolts and screws).
I went cheap and got the assembly from Advance Auto for about $100.
The only hassle in replacement was one of the bolts - it was too close to get a normal socket on. I used a 1/4" drive socket, extension and adapter and bent the cat. converter heat shield a little.
It helps to remove the starter mounting bolts first, slide the starter forward a little, then remove the electrical leads. Of course, be sure to disconnect the battery first.
Total job was less than an hour.
Good luck.
I decided to replace the starter/solenoid unit as it really wasn't intended to be repaired (lots of crimps rather than bolts and screws).
I went cheap and got the assembly from Advance Auto for about $100.
The only hassle in replacement was one of the bolts - it was too close to get a normal socket on. I used a 1/4" drive socket, extension and adapter and bent the cat. converter heat shield a little.
It helps to remove the starter mounting bolts first, slide the starter forward a little, then remove the electrical leads. Of course, be sure to disconnect the battery first.
Total job was less than an hour.
Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ga
If you are going to replace the solinoid, you might as well replace the starter at the same time. Advanced & O'Reillys sells both and the price is not that bad. In order to get to the solinoid you have to partially remove the starter anyway. To remove the starter you only have to move the exhaust pipe...sometimes you can manuever it past the pipe. Either way, if you have to move the starter and you are under the car...kill two birds with one stone.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
If it's the regular'ol large round Cheby starter there's a really cheeeeep way to fix it.
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
If it's the regular'ol large round Cheby starter there's a really cheeeeep way to fix it.
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
"Po" folks is actually {right} correct, but yes you can buy a new switch and put it on the old starter.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
I should have just maintained the secrecy.
Here you go:
Yesss, Yesss, Yesss. You ALWAYS need to replace ANY starter that hiccups with a BRAND NEW one and preferably with the most expensive one you can find.
Then and only then will everything be 'right with the world', the planets will stay in correct alignment and the gravity of the Moon will be in constant and correct state of flux.
Anything other than a BRAND NEW starter will prove to be disastrous, will contribute to global warming, cause world wars and the universe COULD even collapse back onto itself.
It's best to NEVER take such a chance as it truly could adversely affect future generations not to mention the international economy.
ALWAYS use a NEW STARTER.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Wellllll... I can tell you never heard of this.
I should have just maintained the secrecy.
Here you go:
Yesss, Yesss, Yesss. You ALWAYS need to replace ANY starter that hiccups with a BRAND NEW one and preferably with the most expensive one you can find.
Then and only then will everything be 'right with the world', the planets will stay in correct alignment and the gravity of the Moon will be in constant and correct state of flux.
Anything other than a BRAND NEW starter will prove to be disastrous, will contribute to global warming, cause world wars and the universe COULD even collapse back onto itself.
It's best to NEVER take such a chance as it truly could adversely affect future generations not to mention the international economy.
ALWAYS use a NEW STARTER.
I should have just maintained the secrecy.
Here you go:
Yesss, Yesss, Yesss. You ALWAYS need to replace ANY starter that hiccups with a BRAND NEW one and preferably with the most expensive one you can find.
Then and only then will everything be 'right with the world', the planets will stay in correct alignment and the gravity of the Moon will be in constant and correct state of flux.
Anything other than a BRAND NEW starter will prove to be disastrous, will contribute to global warming, cause world wars and the universe COULD even collapse back onto itself.
It's best to NEVER take such a chance as it truly could adversely affect future generations not to mention the international economy.
ALWAYS use a NEW STARTER.
In fact I doubt if he really needed either the starter or a switch.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Fuquay Varina North Carolina
had the same problem on my '95..to me it does not appear as if you can replace just the solenoid.I put in a new starter, solenoid is attached and no more problems. pretty easy replacement, took longer to get the car high enough then to change out the starter. about an hour or so and it was done.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: sparta michigan
if you are interested in getting a good used starter, i can find one for you for under $100 as long as its not a zr-1
Last edited by thumper823; Jan 24, 2007 at 09:47 AM. Reason: interchange different between zr-1 and base
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs CA
If it's the regular'ol large round Cheby starter there's a really cheeeeep way to fix it.
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
Take it off.
Remove the solenoid.
Dissasemble the solenoid
Flip the 'button' around 180*
Reassemble starter
Put starter back on
Should be good for another 50,000 miles, er i mean smiles if it's a Vette starter.
Us "Po" folks been doing it this way for decades.
You guys do know 'bout this, right?
Thanks
check and clean first
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Solenoid Bolt flip
Older GM solenoids could be repaired by turning the large lug (where the battery cable connects) 180 degrees after disassembling the solenoid. Newer GM solenoids can not.
When?
My '88 Jimmy's solenoid died and what a shock after opening the solenoid;
The dirty rotten scoundrels (GM) had ground off the side of the bolt head to prevent the quick/cheap repair (I bought the Jimmy new and no one else had ever worked on it).
Newer solenoids (like my '95 Corvette) are made differently but the contacts can be replaced (there are threads on how to do). I chose to replace the solenoid/starter assembly when the solenoid died.
When?
My '88 Jimmy's solenoid died and what a shock after opening the solenoid;
The dirty rotten scoundrels (GM) had ground off the side of the bolt head to prevent the quick/cheap repair (I bought the Jimmy new and no one else had ever worked on it).
Newer solenoids (like my '95 Corvette) are made differently but the contacts can be replaced (there are threads on how to do). I chose to replace the solenoid/starter assembly when the solenoid died.