Strange starting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
Strange starting
I have a question I'd like to ask about my 96 LT-4 coupe. When I go to start the car I turn the key and sometimes it will make a dull thud noise or nothing will happen. Then I turn the key to the off position and try again and the car starts perfectly. I have replaced the optispark, fuel pump, and filter, all vacuum hoses and most of the gaskets. I'm wondering if the starter is getting ready to fail on me. Any ideas would be helpful. Thank you.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I have a question I'd like to ask about my 96 LT-4 coupe. When I go to start the car I turn the key and sometimes it will make a dull thud noise or nothing will happen. Then I turn the key to the off position and try again and the car starts perfectly. I have replaced the optispark, fuel pump, and filter, all vacuum hoses and most of the gaskets. I'm wondering if the starter is getting ready to fail on me. Any ideas would be helpful. Thank you.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
Possible alignment problem? I had an intermittent dragging with the starter after some engine work. Turned out to be in need of shims for alignment. Check the starter mounting bolts and the wiring connections. Local parts house has the shim kit for the starter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
I dropped the car off at the shop Sat. They have worked on it before and the owner has a hot 86 vert. They say it is the starter. They tend to run test before swapping parts. Plus if they diagnose wrong they don't charge for the work they did. the car has intermittent heat issuses that a heater core flush would have fixed but that was not the problem. So they didn't charge me for the flush. Is anyone else having a problem with everything failing under the hood once they reach 100K miles?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I dropped the car off at the shop Sat. They have worked on it before and the owner has a hot 86 vert. They say it is the starter. They tend to run test before swapping parts. Plus if they diagnose wrong they don't charge for the work they did. the car has intermittent heat issuses that a heater core flush would have fixed but that was not the problem. So they didn't charge me for the flush. Is anyone else having a problem with everything failing under the hood once they reach 100K miles?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
'96 LT4 with 133K miles on original bottom end. No problems here except replaced the headlight motor gears last week. Of course, a failed water pump years ago. I usually replace some items while modifying things from time to time but that is all engine/accessory related.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
It was the relay on the starter, and I told the guys to replace the starter anyway. One step towards replacing every accessory under the hood so I can drive the hell out of her with confidence. I want to thank all of you guys that responded. I like walking into the shop with a clue. Even when someone else gives it to me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
my heater problems have been found. the previous owner had the car parked away from the house and had a mouse in the dash. The shop found the old nest and some chewed wires. I had no response for that when he told me, so I blamed it on the udder guy!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Check other threads re mice. These critters can cause no end of problems in your car. I would initiate some sort of mouse-be-gone program.