Solenoid/Starter or both?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
Solenoid/Starter or both?
Just went to start my 89 C4 and nothing when I turned the key.
Luckily I was able to "bump start" the car.
Got home and starts fine.
So....solenoid/starter or both?
Car has about 125,000 miles, not sure if either has been replaced.
Never had any problems with the starter, seems to crank just fine.
Thanks
Can the solenoid be replaced without removing the starter?
Luckily I was able to "bump start" the car.
Got home and starts fine.
So....solenoid/starter or both?
Car has about 125,000 miles, not sure if either has been replaced.
Never had any problems with the starter, seems to crank just fine.
Thanks
Can the solenoid be replaced without removing the starter?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 396
From: Clay New York
In a normal car you probably could, with a lot of colorful words, but it's only 2 more bolts, and a nut if you have the brace still, to drop it down to gain easier access.
You might also want to check the connections and battery cables.
You might also want to check the connections and battery cables.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
The starter has a bad spot. For it to happen again, the starter would have to stop in the same spot again. It may not happen for months or it might happen everyday. I think it's the starter motor it self. If you wanted to try and save a dollar by doing just the solenoid, you can but the starter has to come off either way. You won't be saving yourself much money by just doing the solenoid.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,330
Likes: 2,722
Your '89 has a 'denso starter and IF original it would require likely just basic maintenance. Very straight forward 2 contacts, a plunger at higher mileage some might do brushes and more. Poster #3 thoughts are I'd think 'incorrect'. Research the 'denso starter before 'over-reacting'! Parts should be available locally and very dependent upon location a bench 'tune-up' should be inexpensive. Get starter in hand ID it to be either OE or a replacement before doing a thing!! If you generally do your own maintenance you should have no issues. If your starter can be confirmed to be OE you want to repair it - DO NOT EXCHANGE USING AS CORE!!! Even if you want to replace with reman 'keep the original'!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
Your '89 has a 'denso starter and IF original it would require likely just basic maintenance. Very straight forward 2 contacts, a plunger at higher mileage some might do brushes and more. Poster #3 thoughts are I'd think 'incorrect'. Research the 'denso starter before 'over-reacting'! Parts should be available locally and very dependent upon location a bench 'tune-up' should be inexpensive. Get starter in hand ID it to be either OE or a replacement before doing a thing!! If you generally do your own maintenance you should have no issues. If your starter can be confirmed to be OE you want to repair it - DO NOT EXCHANGE USING AS CORE!!! Even if you want to replace with reman 'keep the original'!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,330
Likes: 2,722
How about that!!!
I doubt very much you understand the 'denso starter the OP's '89 model Corvette was originally fitted with! If the OP is talented parts likely required for a 'quick fix' are less than $30 delivered! Likely less than $20 from a local vendor if he's fortunate!!
You didn't do well with spelling either! The word you're searching for is 'hoard' - A known original 'denso starter would likely bring as much or more than the reman the OP could purchase 'off the shelf'!
If the OP is fortunate and there's a 'local' shop that actually does builds and he asked that the contacts, plunger and brushes be replaced he could likely be 'out the door' for less than $50. It ain't 'hoarding' - it just makes good sense that if something has value - you don't just toss it! Even if the OP found his to be already a reman the contacts, plunger would likely get him running!
I doubt very much you understand the 'denso starter the OP's '89 model Corvette was originally fitted with! If the OP is talented parts likely required for a 'quick fix' are less than $30 delivered! Likely less than $20 from a local vendor if he's fortunate!!
If the OP is fortunate and there's a 'local' shop that actually does builds and he asked that the contacts, plunger and brushes be replaced he could likely be 'out the door' for less than $50. It ain't 'hoarding' - it just makes good sense that if something has value - you don't just toss it! Even if the OP found his to be already a reman the contacts, plunger would likely get him running!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 2, 2021 at 12:09 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
I get what you are saying especially since they don't make starters like they used but my argument is this...
1) if he replaces a couple of of parts now, is starter my work great for a little while or forever. Couple of months later, starter goes out again, this time it's a couple of other parts he didn't replace so now he has to take it off again and take it apart again.
2) if he takes of his his current starter and replaces all parts inside making it a functionally new starter. The cost of decent parts would put him in range of a reman that has a lifetime warranty and odds are will last a long time.
I was was bored at work and was searching to forum for no reason. Thought I could pass on some knowledge but it never fails that when I try to help on the corvette forum that an elitist has to speak up and say I'm an idiot. I don't get the mentality some people have.
1) if he replaces a couple of of parts now, is starter my work great for a little while or forever. Couple of months later, starter goes out again, this time it's a couple of other parts he didn't replace so now he has to take it off again and take it apart again.
2) if he takes of his his current starter and replaces all parts inside making it a functionally new starter. The cost of decent parts would put him in range of a reman that has a lifetime warranty and odds are will last a long time.
I was was bored at work and was searching to forum for no reason. Thought I could pass on some knowledge but it never fails that when I try to help on the corvette forum that an elitist has to speak up and say I'm an idiot. I don't get the mentality some people have.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,330
Likes: 2,722
I get what you are saying especially since they don't make starters like they used but my argument is this...
1) if he replaces a couple of of parts now, is starter my work great for a little while or forever. Couple of months later, starter goes out again, this time it's a couple of other parts he didn't replace so now he has to take it off again and take it apart again.
2) if he takes of his his current starter and replaces all parts inside making it a functionally new starter. The cost of decent parts would put him in range of a reman that has a lifetime warranty and odds are will last a long time.
I was was bored at work and was searching to forum for no reason. Thought I could pass on some knowledge but it never fails that when I try to help on the corvette forum that an elitist has to speak up and say I'm an idiot. I don't get the mentality some people have.
1) if he replaces a couple of of parts now, is starter my work great for a little while or forever. Couple of months later, starter goes out again, this time it's a couple of other parts he didn't replace so now he has to take it off again and take it apart again.
2) if he takes of his his current starter and replaces all parts inside making it a functionally new starter. The cost of decent parts would put him in range of a reman that has a lifetime warranty and odds are will last a long time.
I was was bored at work and was searching to forum for no reason. Thought I could pass on some knowledge but it never fails that when I try to help on the corvette forum that an elitist has to speak up and say I'm an idiot. I don't get the mentality some people have.
Never mentioned 'idiot' - if you've knowledge regarding 'denso 'cranking motors' you wouldn't have made those comments! Now your back with more 'silliness' regarding 'lifetime' warranties! That for sure is silliness! The OP's '89 was delivered with a very solid cranking motor. Simple maintenance just works!
Bored at work? Find something to do for the guy that 'signs your check'!!!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 2, 2021 at 05:57 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
Never mentioned 'idiot' - if you've knowledge regarding 'denso 'cranking motors' you wouldn't have made those comments! Now your back with more 'silliness' regarding 'lifetime' warranties! That for sure is silliness! The OP's '89 was delivered with a very solid cranking motor. Simple maintenance just works!
Bored at work? Find something to do for the guy that 'signs your check'!!!!
Bored at work? Find something to do for the guy that 'signs your check'!!!!
I work at a manufacturing plant. The job I was doing only needed my attention every 10 minutes. Thanks to the union, it is impossible to move up based on workmanship so I don't put in any more effort then my coworkers do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 1,339
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
Yeah, that original starter definitely should be kept. I kept mine and rebuilt it rather inexpensively. Stuck it in the box that the new Bosch one came in.