Starter question....

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 8, 2005 | 05:19 PM

dchildress

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 666

Likes: 0

From: Walton KY

Starter question....

I have a 94 LT1 six speed. Lately when I turn the key I only get a loud click. After a few hits, the starter will engage. Sometimes it hits on the first try, other times could be up to 10 hits. I use this thing like a daily driver in the summer and probably start it 12 to 20 times a day.

Sounds like the starter is on its way out. Anybody agree?

Sep 8, 2005 | 05:35 PM

darkman5001

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 935

Likes: 2

From: Beverly, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchildress

Get a new starter ASAP. My starter did the same thing. It just got harder and harder and harder to start, until it would not start unless I beat it with a hammer. It does not take long for it to happen either. I decided during the starter change to put in a Summit Racing Mini Starter. It works great now. Good luck!

Sep 8, 2005 | 09:05 PM

jfb

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 54,124

Likes: 30

From: Cincinnati, Oh USA

First, remove your battery cables (negative first) and clean the cable lugs, battery posts and the bolts and replace (neg last). You have classic symptoms of a poor battery connection. Also, measure the battery terminal voltage while cranking. The battery terminal voltage must not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery is discharged, cables are making a poor connection to the battery, or the battery is at the end of its life. The state of charge can be told by measuring the battery terminal voltage while the battery is not under load. 12.9 volts and higher, fully charged. 12.0 volts and lower, discharged. If discharged, charge the battery up with a battery charger for 24 hours. The starter solenoid could also be the problem as the solenoid connects 12v to the starter motor and the copper disk that is the start contact gets pitted with use and eventually will not pass the 100+ amps starter motors require to crank engines. The starter can be tested and the solenoid can be examined and replaced if necessary.

Sep 9, 2005 | 11:13 AM

dchildress

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 666

Likes: 0

From: Walton KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfb

I thought about this, but I have an Optima red top in there that is only 6 months old. I had the trans out for a new clutch and the wires all looked good there. I will try the voltage meter test tonight.

Sep 9, 2005 | 11:39 AM

Gary04Z06

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 6,197

Likes: 9

From: St. louis, MO

replace the starter. Sounds like some of the teeth are missing or the silinoid (sp?) is going out. Don't chance it, replace.

Sep 9, 2005 | 08:47 PM

DanZ51

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,188

Likes: 13

From: Wallingford Vermont

Better yet; pull the starter off, then hustle down to a local altenator/starter shop (they're out there). You can get it rebuilt quickly, with quality parts , for low dough. It's much better than buying cheap parts store crap. I don't care if the warranty is good for 20 years, if you're replacing it ever summer IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

Sep 10, 2005 | 01:48 AM

CentralCoaster

Team Owner

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 24,337

Likes: 25

From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed

Solenoid is dead, possibly corroded 12v cable to the battery. Power has to pass through the solenoid before powering the motor up. It's junk.

Sep 22, 2005 | 11:32 AM

dchildress

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 666

Likes: 0

From: Walton KY

Had a local starter shop rebuild the starter for $75. Works perfect. He said the solenoid was good but the starter motor itself had some weak spots (or something like that)