Nice TIP!!
Starter Removal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Stevens Point WI
Starter Removal
Okay here's another one for you guys. Since all of you have been such a great help in the past I figured I'd give you another one.
The starter on my 85 has been acting up. Every now and then it won't start right up. You'll hear it click a few times and then it will turn over. So in an effort to get it tested I want to get it out of the car. The problem is, looking at my Chilton's manual, it's directing me to rip out the exhaust and a few other things which, needless to say, will put the car down and out for a little while.
The question is, is there an easier way to get the started out without having to pull out the exhaust pipes and other things in that area?
Thanks,
Vision
The starter on my 85 has been acting up. Every now and then it won't start right up. You'll hear it click a few times and then it will turn over. So in an effort to get it tested I want to get it out of the car. The problem is, looking at my Chilton's manual, it's directing me to rip out the exhaust and a few other things which, needless to say, will put the car down and out for a little while.
The question is, is there an easier way to get the started out without having to pull out the exhaust pipes and other things in that area?
Thanks,
Vision
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
You do not have to pull out the exhaust. It is a tight fit, but you can do it.
remove the battery cable.
Remove the Transmission shroud.
Remove the two bolts holding the starter to the block.
Remove the wires to the selenoid.
check to see if you have any shims between the starter and the engine.
remove the battery cable.
Remove the Transmission shroud.
Remove the two bolts holding the starter to the block.
Remove the wires to the selenoid.
check to see if you have any shims between the starter and the engine.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg PA
This is the plunger inside the starter. It corrodes and collects dirt from the starter brushes. That is why you get that 1 click and then it starts. The "CLICK" clears away the dust and dirt. Removeing it is very easy,first remove the starter from the car. Two bolts and two wires and the starter is free. After the starter is out, remove the cap that is in the picture below. Then clean the plunger, where the screwdriver is pointing to. I used a Dremel tool to clean mine with a wire brush in it.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Cap is removed by 3 little bolts and you have to take the 2 terminals off the starter also.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Clean the inside of the starter where the plunger makes contact across the terminals. Piece of cake to do and you should be good for about 3 more years. Best part of this repair. NO COST in parts.
That is rare in a corvette repair.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]Cap is removed by 3 little bolts and you have to take the 2 terminals off the starter also.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Clean the inside of the starter where the plunger makes contact across the terminals. Piece of cake to do and you should be good for about 3 more years. Best part of this repair. NO COST in parts.
That is rare in a corvette repair.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
This is the plunger inside the starter. It corrodes and collects dirt from the starter brushes. That is why you get that 1 click and then it starts. The "CLICK" clears away the dust and dirt. Removeing it is very easy,first remove the starter from the car. Two bolts and two wires and the starter is free. After the starter is out, remove the cap that is in the picture below. Then clean the plunger, where the screwdriver is pointing to. I used a Dremel tool to clean mine with a wire brush in it.
OP, I would strongly recommend removing the wires before unbolting the starter, otherwise the starter will fall down and try to snap the wires. Other than that, this is a pretty self-explanatory job, just unbolt it and bolt it back on when you're done. Be sure to use safe practices when raising the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I'm having this same damn symptom with my other car. But I've found that if I just jump battery voltage directly to the solenoid from under the car with a peice of wire, it starts everytime. If I go into the car and try with the key, just a click. 
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Littleton Co
Another idea is to use a jack stand under the starter so is won't hang up on the wires. This lets it down a few inches and makes getting to the connections a bit easier. also some GM's still have a rear mounting assembly. If it has the rear mount with the nut just loosen the nut and lift up the back of the starter and it will come up and out of the bracket, no need to remove the bracket.
If you end up buying a new starter spend the extra money for a new one, or better yet take yours to a local shop and have it rebuilt, better quality control. I recently changed starters and had to go through 3 different remanufatured starters before I got one that worked. All three had a different length pinion gears.
If you end up buying a new starter spend the extra money for a new one, or better yet take yours to a local shop and have it rebuilt, better quality control. I recently changed starters and had to go through 3 different remanufatured starters before I got one that worked. All three had a different length pinion gears.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
starter
I agree with everything 89 bob L said
but take off the fuel filter also. remove the gas cap first.
the starter gets rotated about 180 degrees, and it slips out.
wierd how you have to take off the torque converter pan, but you have to.
The starter on the corvette in 85 has a longer solenoid, but the starter on 86-88 has a shorter solenoid with the longer brass contact tube.
If you end up buying just a solenoid because the old solenoid's internals are fried, make sure you sort of put your solenoid back together when you go to buy a new one to compare it with.
If someone has already changed your starter, you may or may not have the right solenoid that the books will show, and you might have to take the new solenoid back to get the right one.
but take off the fuel filter also. remove the gas cap first.
the starter gets rotated about 180 degrees, and it slips out.
wierd how you have to take off the torque converter pan, but you have to.
The starter on the corvette in 85 has a longer solenoid, but the starter on 86-88 has a shorter solenoid with the longer brass contact tube.
If you end up buying just a solenoid because the old solenoid's internals are fried, make sure you sort of put your solenoid back together when you go to buy a new one to compare it with.
If someone has already changed your starter, you may or may not have the right solenoid that the books will show, and you might have to take the new solenoid back to get the right one.
