C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Starter Problem

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Old May 3, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #1  
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St. Jude Donor '06
Default Starter Problem

Somtimes my car is a tough start. If my car sits for a few weeks it is tough to start. I figure the solenoid is going in the starter. Battery is good (trickle charger). Symptom is ususally a click when the key is turned. If the car is driven some it will kick over just fine most of the time 90%+. It will usually kick over after a few turns of the key after the initial dead response. When it does kick over it fires right up with no hesitation whatsoever... It is a 94 6 speed car. Anyone else have this problem? I know eventually it will fail completely.

Other potential problems?
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Old May 3, 2007 | 12:16 PM
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Keep hitting ,"crank", position with the ign key and if you finally get it to crank the engine after multiple clicks, then you have a burned contact in the starter. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, two large copper contacts come together to switch current to the starter motor. These contacts get burned and pitted and become intermittent. Hittiing the starter many times breaks through the crud. You can replace these contacts by taking the starter apart.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jfb
Keep hitting ,"crank", position with the ign key and if you finally get it to crank the engine after multiple clicks, then you have a burned contact in the starter. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, two large copper contacts come together to switch current to the starter motor. These contacts get burned and pitted and become intermittent. Hittiing the starter many times breaks through the crud. You can replace these contacts by taking the starter apart.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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Default New Solenoid?

Would it not be smart to replace the entire Solenoid?
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Old May 3, 2007 | 06:49 PM
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You can replace the solenoid, but I don't think the contacts are a part of the solenoid.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 08:10 PM
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Default Intermittent start

I had the same symptoms on my '95. Replaced the starter/solenoid as a package and no more problems.
There are some threads on rebuilding the solenoid (the contacts are inside of the solenoid) but I chose to replace the package since the remove/install was more hassle than the $100 for parts.
Do some 'search' using the tab above and find lots of info on solenoids and starter replacement.
Hope this helps.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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Problem is in the solenoid. The plunger inside it is pitted, carboned up. If it was about 1970 you could get a solenoid rebuild kit for about $3. Or, if you are really cheap just take the cap off and scrape the plunger down with pocket knife and put it back together! I've seen it done before, it will last for another couple of years.
Nowdays just replace the solenoid. When you get the starter out make sure the bushings in the ends aren't shot. Put a new set of brushes in it with the new solenoid. If the starter commentator is a mangeled up go for a new starter.

JS
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Old May 3, 2007 | 08:51 PM
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From: Kempner Texas
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Originally Posted by IRAraid
I had the same symptoms on my '95. Replaced the starter/solenoid as a package and no more problems.
There are some threads on rebuilding the solenoid (the contacts are inside of the solenoid) but I chose to replace the package since the remove/install was more hassle than the $100 for parts.
Do some 'search' using the tab above and find lots of info on solenoids and starter replacement.
Hope this helps.
Same problem on my 96 LT1, new started solved it immediately.

It's new starter time.

Jake
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