Hi all, hoping to get some advice form the experts here. I have a 91 Vert with ~60,000 miles or 100,000km on it. Auto Trans, All stock.

Im having issues where the car will start sometimes and other times I just get a single "Click" (not a rapid click, click click...) and the starter doesnt engage. All the lights and electrics are working ok. The probelm has been going on for a year but is now getting worse to the pont where its a probem more often than not.

some other symptoms/scenarios I get:

sometimes the first try at starting results in a very short "rrrr" where the starter starts to turn but stops. Upon a second attempt, the starter works aand the car starts fine:

Sometimes, the starter starts to spin normally and then it just slow down and stops before the engine has chance to start

sometimes if I just get the 'Click", if i repreately, and rapidly turn the ignition key on and off to get a "Click, Click , Click, Click" the starter will engage on the 4th or 5th rapid try...almost like the starter needs repeated nudges to get moving

sometimes, it starts with no problems at all.

What have I done so far:

Checked and cleaned batetry connections
cleaned and checked the connections on the starter solenoid
had the battery Load Tested - ok

2 questions:

1) Is this likely a Starter/Solenoid issue ?

2) if so, is there a trick to getting it out? there are tranny cooler lines in the way and exst manifold in the way that make the job seem daunting.

Thanks in advance

 

This would be my guess:
http://sethirdgen.org/vats.htm

 

Could be starter on way out.Mine did that not all of the time and it was the starter

 

thanks, would I see the security light come on for some period after I turn off the key if this was the issue ?

I dont see that on my car, but i think the write up here implies that ?

anyone know ?

 

Where is the click coming from? The dash, or engine compartment? Starter solenoid, starter enable relay in the dash? Is power coming from ignition switch? Could the neutral safety switch in the shifter be bad? Sorry to throw it all at once, but those could all be suspects.

 

I beleive the click comes from the starter/solenoid, sounds like it to me, but ill have to check this weekend when im back home again.

The starter sometimes engages and completes only a partial revolution before it stops, kinda like having a battery with insufficient juice. on the second try it engages fully and the car fires up.

other times its just a solenoid click with no starter movement

I should also mention one other key piece of information, this only happens when the car is cold, its never happened to me after the car has been driven for any length of time.

 

Typically the main solenoid contacts on the Denso starter are worn out and not making a good contact on the 1st hit
See
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html

Easy fix how to w/ pics
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html

 

Could be a dead spot on the starter armature, when my 70's style chevy starters do that a few good hits with a hammer and they work great until the next time they stop on the dead spot.

WTF I was being lazy and using FireFox's spell check.
I left an m out of hammer and FireFox wanted to change it to harem.

 

I have a 91 vert also. Had the same problem. Turned out to be the starter. It is not hard to remove it. Once you get under there just a few bolts and wire. Found an alternator shop and had mine rebuilt with lifetime warranty for $85.00. I prefer to do it this way rather than buy the junk at local auto parts house.

 

Many Thanks for the replies folks.

I hope its the starter/soleniod and not hte VATS

 

Same symptoms on my 90, it was the starter!

 

If it was VATS you wouldn't get a starter click.

Read and digest
http://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I Just want to confirm something, I plan to pull the starter/soleniod out this weekend. Its my understanding from searching around the past posts and comments in this thread that in the 91 Vette, I can indeed get it out without removing the Trans Cooler lines and any exhaust pipes ?

I know it will be tight, but it can be done right ?

Im planning to get this one rebuilt, vs replacing it

 

I also, replaced the Starter on my 91 Vette.

Make sure you buy the OEM Nippondenso starter, (I bought it at NAPA).

There are two Trans Cooler liners in the way but, you can wrestle the starter out if you're patient.

 

thanks,

Ill likely just get mine rebuilt/refurbished, I wont buy any sub standard aftermaket starter

 

NipponDenso is the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the Starter that your 91 Vette came with. It is Not an aftermarket part...

 

OK understood. thanks a lot.

got a local guy here ready to rebuild the Denso that I pull out, hopefully that means I dont have to re shim it.

 

Fun in the garage

 

Well, I got the starter out, what a task that was. I didn't realise they started a C4 build with the starter and built the rest fo the car around it.

Aside from the Exhaust pipe, and the tranny cooler lines (x2) thre was also a some sort of large diamiter vaccume line (Aluminum or stainless) and a small heat shield protecting a sensor. I had only about 2-3" of space anywhere so heres what i had to do:

Remove the band clamp that fastens the vaccume line to the exhaust pipe just behind the x brace
Remove the gear clamp that attached the vaccum line to the exhuast manifold bracket (you have to have racoon size hands to get to that one....thankfully i do), getting it back on my be more of a chore than getting it off.
Remove the small heat shield that protects the sensor thats screwed into the engine back there
Disconnect the sensor and move the wires out of the way.

after that I could manouver the starter and push the vaccume line over enough to squeeze the starter out.

Hope to have the starter back from the rebuilder this friday.

 

Hopefully your knuckles will be healed up by Friday. Kinda brings a whole new meaning to the Mini Starter?