Starter
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 44
From: Pensacola Florida
Starter
Well her starter is acting up, clicks a couple of times before it engages, took several attempts this morning.
I heard something about shims, does an 89 have them? Any trick to changing this puppy out?
Rick
I heard something about shims, does an 89 have them? Any trick to changing this puppy out?
Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
It may be that the solenoid is going bad. The clicking sound usually happens when the solenoid cannot mechanically pass the current from the battery to the starter motor.
Shims aren't typically installed with original starters. Aftermarket starters have a couple shims provided, but the only real use for them is to make sure the small gear in the back of the starter motor meshes properly with the ring gear on the flywheel or flexplate. In most cases with good quality reman starters, the shims are not needed. They have nothing to do with the solenoid itself.
The starter is not too hard to remove. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and then remove the positive cable at the starter solenoid, remove the two small wires on the solenoid. The starter may have a front support bracket that will have to be removed and then the two bolts that hold the starter to the block.
With the starter out, the solenoid is easily removed and the new one attached. Solenoids run about $30 to $40 to buy.
Shims aren't typically installed with original starters. Aftermarket starters have a couple shims provided, but the only real use for them is to make sure the small gear in the back of the starter motor meshes properly with the ring gear on the flywheel or flexplate. In most cases with good quality reman starters, the shims are not needed. They have nothing to do with the solenoid itself.
The starter is not too hard to remove. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and then remove the positive cable at the starter solenoid, remove the two small wires on the solenoid. The starter may have a front support bracket that will have to be removed and then the two bolts that hold the starter to the block.
With the starter out, the solenoid is easily removed and the new one attached. Solenoids run about $30 to $40 to buy.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,365
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Shims for sure aren't a solution generally for the OP's mentioned problem but there ain't no assurance until the ring gear and the starter pinion are checked and confirmed.
If the OP has confirmed good wiring, an adequate charging system the removal confirms maybe all. If he's not got adequate electrical then there's no reason to remove first.
A 'denso pinion has a taper/bevel on the teeth, very poor electrical(less than optimal)isn't likely going to engage the pinion with less than a perfect match of the pinion/ring gear. Since the OP mentions that a few attempts seems to resolve in a crank maybe he's just "less than optimal" cranking voltage supplied to the starter. MAYBE!!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 23, 2016 at 11:07 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 45
From: Baltimore County MD
This is the solenoid repair kit that fits a 1994 Corvette----Victory Lap ND-34SOL Solenoid Repair Kit on Amazon-----take a look here to see what you are replacing-------I don't thinks shims are an issue if you keep with the same starter, at least I did not mess with any of them. I only used 2 of the 4 copper contacts. Maybe they just send too many or fit other applications ?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 265
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix AZ
The OP's '89 should have the newer compact 'denso style starter if it's OE/GM. It's important that he remove what's there and ID it before doing a thing. The car could have an "offshore" replica of maybe a Tilton style or some other wild conglomeration. There are many!!
Shims for sure aren't a solution generally for the OP's mentioned problem but there ain't no assurance until the ring gear and the starter pinion are checked and confirmed.
If the OP has confirmed good wiring, an adequate charging system the removal confirms maybe all. If he's not got adequate electrical then there's no reason to remove first.
A 'denso pinion has a taper/bevel on the teeth, very poor electrical(less than optimal)isn't likely going to engage the pinion with less than a perfect match of the pinion/ring gear. Since the OP mentions that a few attempts seems to resolve in a crank maybe he's just "less than optimal" cranking voltage supplied to the starter. MAYBE!!!
Shims for sure aren't a solution generally for the OP's mentioned problem but there ain't no assurance until the ring gear and the starter pinion are checked and confirmed.
If the OP has confirmed good wiring, an adequate charging system the removal confirms maybe all. If he's not got adequate electrical then there's no reason to remove first.
A 'denso pinion has a taper/bevel on the teeth, very poor electrical(less than optimal)isn't likely going to engage the pinion with less than a perfect match of the pinion/ring gear. Since the OP mentions that a few attempts seems to resolve in a crank maybe he's just "less than optimal" cranking voltage supplied to the starter. MAYBE!!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 40
From: Rockaway NJ
Source for new starter contacts
http://http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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Just ran into this company that sells starter rebuild kits for nippondenso starters. I'm having the same problem as you and this is where I plan to purchase a kit for mine. There's a good video of the rebuild process. It looks pretty straight forward.
http://http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
http://http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
I believe that many buy a kit and when they get it "in hand" the plunger doesn't match.
There's many options for the plunger/contact buys if you measure and confirm needs first. Guessing or assuming doing an Internet buy "if it ain't right - now it''s apart anyway" - you've accomplished what?
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 24, 2016 at 08:51 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 45
From: Baltimore County MD
starter
The video that drifter 36 mentions is excellent and I believe it's the one I used. It's a lot easier when you open the solenoid up and see what you need to do . The kit from Amazon was correct(for a 1994) and had 2 extra contacts, cost $12. One thing that may not have been mentioned is that when installing the 2 large copper contacts, adjust them so they both contact the copper ring(on the plunger) , at the same time. You will see pitting on the old contacts, which is why they eventually fail.