Intermitent starting problems
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Mexico DF
Intermitent starting problems
Hi all, I want to ask for your help with a problem that is driving me crazy. I have a '91 vette. The problem is with starting the car. Without any reason some times it just don't start. I turn the key and hear a click in the engine (I suppose is a starter switch) but nothing else. It just don't crank or do anything (the VATS light turns off in the dash also, by the way). But suddenly, after a while and some tries, it start like nothing have happened. When the failing start is happening, I can start it by connecting the starter motor directly to the battery and starts in the first try.
Does anyone have any idea what could make this happening?
Thanks in advance for your comments and help.
Does anyone have any idea what could make this happening?
Thanks in advance for your comments and help.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Gales Ferry CT
starter
It does sound like your starter. I had similar problems with an older ford (years ago) and my wife's toyota this past week. Like you indicated, her car did start after a few attempt. No problems for about a week then it would not start at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
First, remove your battery cables (neg cable first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery posts and replace the cables (neg last). Starter motors draw 100+ amps and they require a clean tight low resistance cable connection to the battery. Battery posts slowly corrode and need to be periodically cleaned.
If you can keep hitting the crank position and the starter finally cranks and the battery posts are clean and tight, then you have worn pitted contacts inside the starter which can be replaced. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, the solenoid forces two large copper contacts together that switch current to the starter motor and after a lot of use, these contacts become black and pitted and don't make good connection. An auto electrical shop can replace the contacts or you can do it yourself.
If you can keep hitting the crank position and the starter finally cranks and the battery posts are clean and tight, then you have worn pitted contacts inside the starter which can be replaced. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, the solenoid forces two large copper contacts together that switch current to the starter motor and after a lot of use, these contacts become black and pitted and don't make good connection. An auto electrical shop can replace the contacts or you can do it yourself.
