How do I know if the starter is going bad?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
How do I know if the starter is going bad?
About one out of every seven or eight time I try to start the car I hear a mechanical whine and the thing is not even close to starting (seems like it is not even firing or maybe it is firing and has absolutely no gas?). I was wondering if this might be just a starter problem or maybe the fuel pump is starting to go out? I have a '91 L98 auto with 57500mi on it. I don't believe either of these items have ever been replaced.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (Vette9d1)
Sounds like the same thing I was experiencing a couple of years ago with my 84. Every once in awhile when you'd turn the key to start, it would screach. Problem was a failing bendix in the starter. I replaced the starter with a GM reman from the dealer, no more problems. While I was under the car I also pulled the dust cover off the tranny to check for any ring gear damage, that may have occured during it's screaching period. None was found. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (vettl83)
Sounds like the same problem. The noise is kind of a scratching/scraping sound with a whine to it. I hope changing starters will get rid of it. Is it an easy replacement?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara ca
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (Vette9d1)
Replacing the starter is cake. :yesnod: Just jack the car completely up in the air. Drop the Y-pipes, and there it is on the passenger side of the motor. There are two bolts and three wires to undo and it drops right out into your hand. When reinstalling be sure to torq the bolts correctly. I believe the torq is 30 ft*lbs
Good luck!
Oh... and disconnect the battery first. The starter is around $30 on exchange at Napa Auto.
[Modified by Kieran ***, 5:05 PM 5/16/2002]
Good luck!
Oh... and disconnect the battery first. The starter is around $30 on exchange at Napa Auto.
[Modified by Kieran ***, 5:05 PM 5/16/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (Kieran ***)
Jeez...I had no idea that with exchange they are that cheap! So should I go ahead and replace it now?(It works 90% of the time)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (Vette9d1)
It will over time only get worse and you could damage the teeth on your flywheel. If that happens a new GM starter would seem cheap compared to a flywheel replacement. :nopity
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: How do I know if the starter is going bad? (vettl83)
I replaced my original 85 starter last Friday. No warning just stopped! $64 at my lcoal Chevy dealer. Now it sounds like a jet engine starting up.
Oh yeah it stopped on the wife at the local store after her not having driven it in over a year. My last words were "vette is running beatifully!!!!!!!!!!
A flat bed AAA service brought it back home.
Any way, check for shims when you take it out becasue you will have to re-shim the thing (PITA) if you buy aftermarket for @$30 or just bolt a new Declo back in for @ $58 from The Last Detail in Georgia or ask you local Chevy dealers parts department for a discount.
Mine was $99 then I asked "how about a discount for a Vette Club or anything like that and he said "how about wholesale $64?",,, sold.
Live and learn!
[Modified by ld85, 7:21 PM 5/20/2002]
Oh yeah it stopped on the wife at the local store after her not having driven it in over a year. My last words were "vette is running beatifully!!!!!!!!!!
A flat bed AAA service brought it back home.
Any way, check for shims when you take it out becasue you will have to re-shim the thing (PITA) if you buy aftermarket for @$30 or just bolt a new Declo back in for @ $58 from The Last Detail in Georgia or ask you local Chevy dealers parts department for a discount.
Mine was $99 then I asked "how about a discount for a Vette Club or anything like that and he said "how about wholesale $64?",,, sold.
Live and learn!
[Modified by ld85, 7:21 PM 5/20/2002]
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