Short note for a long problem that I hope will help someone else - 1990 Polo Green vette - color doesn't matter - I'm just happy I have a green one. I have had this car for about 6 months and I am putting it back together after a 16 yr old "fixed it". One re-occurring problem that has plagued it since day 1 was intermittent starter issues. You know the one - it clicks but doesn't turn over - you can here the solenoid kicking and engaging the flywheel but not turning over. This wouldn't happen all of the time -- just sometimes. Luckily when I bought the car I picked up the towing insurance. Comes in handy after the 3rd time. A mechanic friend of mine said the starter was going out and need to be rebuilt. OK - sounds about right. The rebuilt starter worked for about 12 starts before the same thing happened. Picked up a different starter out of a '89 and the same thing, 12 - 15 starts then stranded at the gas station. That’s when I came across this YouTube video that seemed very familiar to what was happening to mine -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry68G0C2Fyc

After disconnecting the positive cable and finding loose bolts and connectors - not to mention lots of white corrosion about 6" back from the main connection I changed the entire positive cable assembly - WHAT A PITA - that’s a story for another day. Now before trusting this was the fix - I have successfully started the car 56 times in the driveway. I am ready to venture out into the real world with the tow company on speed dial.

I hope this helps any and all - A great time is just a "click" away......

 

Well.... at least we know your motivated about repeatable results
+10 for the unintentional adherence to the scientific method.

I had this problem, but it WAS the starter. I'm going to go ahead and hand-over-hand the POS cable anyways. Who knows! Great info. I know this is a problem not only with our C4s, but with our "beaters" as well. I'm willing to bet the Toyota is having this kind of issue. Too bad I just really don't give a s*** about that car. Seriously. It's my punching bag when the Corvette gives me a hard time.

Thanks for the info!

 

oh man.. fun times were brought back to memory right there....

 

56 straight starts in the driveway. You're probably ready for another starter !

 

I'm set - I still have the rebuilt original on the bench.