Bad starter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Pearl Harbor Hi
Bad starter?
So 15 minutes after parking last night, I needed to go to the store. Went to starter up, and *click*. Yes, a "click". No "vroom", just "click". Well, I threw a mini-temper tantrum, then went back inside. Woke up at 5am thinking "oh jeez, what if it's not the starter? What if the d@mn engine ceized??" So there I was at 5am checking to see if the crank shaft would turn by hand, sho-nuff she did. So that worry is out of the way.
Have any of you guys just had a starter die like that? Is it something else? My imediate thought is that Hawaii has been having HUGE amounts of rain the past week, and maybe the sucker just got too wet? I've avoided puddles of course, but the car is so low, everything gets wet reguardless.
I get full power from electical. Battery's new and in perfect order.
Have any of you guys just had a starter die like that? Is it something else? My imediate thought is that Hawaii has been having HUGE amounts of rain the past week, and maybe the sucker just got too wet? I've avoided puddles of course, but the car is so low, everything gets wet reguardless.
I get full power from electical. Battery's new and in perfect order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
A bad starter will do that.
So will a bad solenoid.
As will a bad/corroded battery connection.
All can start out of the blue with no warning, just like your situation.
I replaced a starter and battery, and cleaned cable ends in a van once only to find out it was corossion in the negative cable itself (unfortunately I had to pay a shop to find that out for me). Now I know better!
So will a bad solenoid.
As will a bad/corroded battery connection.
All can start out of the blue with no warning, just like your situation.
I replaced a starter and battery, and cleaned cable ends in a van once only to find out it was corossion in the negative cable itself (unfortunately I had to pay a shop to find that out for me). Now I know better!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
with Square. When mine started going out (starter) I could take a pipe and tap the starter-she'd usually start right up, I replaced it2-3 years ago with a rebuilt-no problems. BUT first make sure your battery is good and connections CLEAN and tight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
with both. Every year at least once I go to my truck and all I get is a click. For some reason my positive terminal is always corroded or broke. It could be as simple as that, or the solenoid,or the starter. should be somewhat of an easy fix
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
I have a 95 vette that will do this sometimes. Usually when I start it after it has been sitting for a while. I turn the car and the starter will try to crank the engine but it's like it gets binded. I will turn the key again and it will crank. Not a real big deal with me right now since it does work. If it clicks every time and you have checked the connection and wire then it's probably time for a new starter 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, battery posts and the bolts and replace (neg last). Your cable connections need to be like your lover, bright and tight! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
Check battery voltage and BOTH the positive and negative cables. If everything shows 11-12 volts and is corrosion free (and all bolts are snug), then and ONLY then do you replace the starter.
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Hit the starter a couple times with a hammer if it starts its the starter 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 222
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From: Pearl Harbor Hi
Well, it was definitely a connection. I yanked it outa there and had it tested and it tested fine. So I came back, cleaned all the terminals and put her back in and she fired right up.
Mind you, I did all of this in the parking lot, IN the rain. No cover. So if any of you have had fantasies about taking out a starter in the rain.....dream bout somethin else!!!!
Thanks again for the help guys.
Mind you, I did all of this in the parking lot, IN the rain. No cover. So if any of you have had fantasies about taking out a starter in the rain.....dream bout somethin else!!!!
Thanks again for the help guys.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Pearl Harbor Hi