Starter Toubles [85]
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Starter Toubles [85]
Fun weekend for me... took the car out of the garage form the winter slumber and needed a new battery. She started right up and I drove it over to the parts shop to pick up some bulbs and such I meant to do last year, and wouldn't start. I got a push start from my friend who was around the corner.
So I think it's the starter. I've got the shop manual and have worked down the electrical diganosis tree. I hear the solenoid click, have 12v when I try to turn it over. Next step is to check voltage at the solenoid terminal 'B' to determine if the starter sees the proper potential.
Still somewhat new to working on this vette, any susggestions as to how and access the starter? It sure is tight under the hood of this vette...
So I think it's the starter. I've got the shop manual and have worked down the electrical diganosis tree. I hear the solenoid click, have 12v when I try to turn it over. Next step is to check voltage at the solenoid terminal 'B' to determine if the starter sees the proper potential.
Still somewhat new to working on this vette, any susggestions as to how and access the starter? It sure is tight under the hood of this vette...
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Its not hard to get out unless you have long tube headers, in which case you would have to remove the passenger side header to get it out. Assuming your '85 is stock you have 2 options:
1. Buy another $30 starter to replace your original.
2. Upgrade to the later style small starter (I got one for $80 on ebay).
1. Buy another $30 starter to replace your original.
2. Upgrade to the later style small starter (I got one for $80 on ebay).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
If you hear it click, you likely have bad contacts inside the starter. At the end of the solenoid stroke, two large copper contacts are forced together to switch 12v to the starter motor. These contacts get blackened and pitted from use and can be replaced.
One test is to keep hitting crank and eventually if the starter begins cranking, you need new contacts.
One test is to keep hitting crank and eventually if the starter begins cranking, you need new contacts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
If you have the original exhaust manifolds, and the original 1985 starter, and plan on NOT putting long tube headers on the car, then just buy a new 1985 starter. It's much cheaper, and works as well or better than a mini starter, it just won't clear the long tube headers.
The starter is held on by 2 bolts and 2 wires. I can pull the starter off my 86' in less than 15 minutes, and that includes driving the car up on ramps. It must be done from the bottom, and you will need to sidconnect your battery once you have the front end elevated.
The starter is held on by 2 bolts and 2 wires. I can pull the starter off my 86' in less than 15 minutes, and that includes driving the car up on ramps. It must be done from the bottom, and you will need to sidconnect your battery once you have the front end elevated.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
starter = kaaboom! Brought it to the national parts store on the way home and it smoked up on test. So now I weigh the mini vs the OEM vs the rebuild [I know a local place].
Any suggestions on what mini? Just running the L98, 350 cubic in, some upped comp cams.
Any suggestions on what mini? Just running the L98, 350 cubic in, some upped comp cams.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 387
Likes: 3
From: Indian Trail, NC
or some other upgrade... 
but if the normal starter won't clear LT headers, then that is a problem if you decide to get them in the future...
