Starter problems
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,704
Likes: 0
From: Bayou State
Starter problems
Yesterday morning I turned the key to start and it clicked but wouldn't turn over. On the second try it started. During the day I ran several errands and it started fine all day. Today it won't start but will click. I'm willing to bring it in for a starter change. I'm going to try and tap it and see if it will start. I priced starters online. What do you recommend? GM $313, Auto Zone $118 plus core, NAPA $129 plus core 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Here's what I did 2 years ago. Still starts on the first try.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...with-pics.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...with-pics.html
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Read this thread. You should be good to go!
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...o-starter.html
SAVE the WAVE!
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...o-starter.html
SAVE the WAVE!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Most likely it is the switch inside the starter. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, a large copper contact is forced against fixed copper contacts which switches current to the starter motor. These contacts get pitted and blackened and eventually don't make a low enough resistance connection to supply the 100+ amps a starter motor requires. One way to diagnose this is, when it clicks but doesn't crank, keep hitting the crank position on the ign sw again and again. The banging cleans these contacts and it will eventually crank. I did this and it took 20 crank tries to get the starter to crank. You can replace these contacts yourself or you can take your starter motor to an auto electrical shop and they can do it for you.
Another problem might be the battery cable connections, it is an easy job to remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery posts and replace the cables (neg last).
Another problem might be the battery cable connections, it is an easy job to remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery posts and replace the cables (neg last).
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
similar problem
I had a similar problem to yours. Mine was the starter motor itself. The solonoid seemed to be fine because I was getting the "click". I'm sure JFB has a good point but replacing the starter isn't all that hard and I don't know the last time it was done on my car. I got a Delco Remy from Autozone and I ended up having to take apart the solonoid and clean it up. It is pretty easy, just a couple screws and some sandpaper to clean up the contacts. I shouldn't have had to do this but I figured it was easy enough for me to do myself. Hope this helps in some way.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Eureka Calif.
The starter in my 1992 had been acting up for a few weeks, clicking once and not starting. Sometimes I would have to give it few trys before it would engage. Then last weekend (11/6/11) I loaded up the 4 year old grand-daughter to go get some coffee and hot chocolate. Turned the key and the car started right up, but I could hear the starter still engaged!!!! Found this post using the "search", check out the link that 'rickreeves1' posted. Pulled out the starter, changed the contacts and plunger, Starts right up! Cost, $35 in parts. Time 2 1/2 hours..... thanks guys.......
