Click-click.... bad starter?
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Click-click.... bad starter?
After several months of increased difficulty in cold starting, all I get is a solenoid click now on my '93 LT1. Sometimes the engine will try to turn a little bit, but stops.
Up to this point, it would do that the first couple of times, but then fire right up on the 3rd or 4th try, nice and strong like nothing was wrong. A couple months ago I even replaced the battery (with a new DieHard Gold) and it didn't help, so I guess the starter's kaput.
Are these the symptoms of a bad starter? I just wanna make sure before I order the new one.
Also, the battery appears to have plenty of juice.
[Modified by Thud, 4:17 PM 6/9/2002]
Up to this point, it would do that the first couple of times, but then fire right up on the 3rd or 4th try, nice and strong like nothing was wrong. A couple months ago I even replaced the battery (with a new DieHard Gold) and it didn't help, so I guess the starter's kaput.
Are these the symptoms of a bad starter? I just wanna make sure before I order the new one.
Also, the battery appears to have plenty of juice.
[Modified by Thud, 4:17 PM 6/9/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (Thud)
Are these the symptoms of a bad starter? I just wanna make sure before I order the new one.
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (STL94LT1)
Are these the symptoms of a bad starter? I just wanna make sure before I order the new one.
Yes, it sounds like you have a bad starter solenoid. Unfortunately, I believe on the LT1 you have to change the entire starter to change the solenoid.
Yes, it sounds like you have a bad starter solenoid. Unfortunately, I believe on the LT1 you have to change the entire starter to change the solenoid.
Fortunately, it looks like an easy job to replace, I don't even have to remove anything else to get to it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (Thud)
That's what I figured, it's all in one package. About 200 bucks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (STL94LT1)
Not sure, but for all those type of parts, I end up going with a local autoparts store for the lifetime waranty.......
Just a thought.......
if you want to go original then Jeff is the man.
Just a thought.......
if you want to go original then Jeff is the man.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
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From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (Thud)
Be sure to check the battery's ground, follow the cable and make sure the ground is clean and tight. By that I mean, remove the bolt/nut, clean the terminal and the area it contacts, and put it back together. A poorly grounded battery will also cause the problems you described.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Micco FL
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (Ski2Tee)
Lack of proper ground will cause the same problem. Check and clean the battery cables both at the battery and at the starter. If that doesn't solve the problem, it's starter rebuild time.
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Michael S. Palmer
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (Thud)
Measure the volts on the starter (at the starter) when attempting a crank. This will tell if you have a bad cable, ground, or battery terminal connections. The voltage should not fall below 9.0 volts if the battery is fully charged.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (STL94LT1)
Yes, it sounds like you have a bad starter solenoid. Unfortunately, I believe on the LT1 you have to change the entire starter to change the solenoid.
NOT !
You can get the parts to fix the solenoid in the starter for 20 bucks at your Toyota dealer. The contacts in the solenoid wear down over time and need to be replaced. The following picture shows the parts needed (make a copy and take it with you).
Be sure you get the contact for the battery side as shown. Toyota has a version that has the extension on the contact on the top half.
The solenoid has a cover with four screws. Remove the plunger and file the side of the outer ring down smooth. The plunger will probably last through another rebuild. Unbolt the contacts and put the new ones in place. Be sure to hold the bolt that goes through the contact with a wrench when you tighten the nut.
Go spend the 180 bucks on something else.
[Modified by AquaMetallic94LT1, 9:41 PM 6/10/2002]
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: Click-click.... bad starter? (AquaMetallic94LT1)
Thanks for the info... the fact that it was intermittent until now might indicate a flaky ground connection.
As soon as I get a floorjack that actually works (damn Pep Boys POS) I'll be able to get the car on jackstands and check it out.
One thing to note--- this only happens when the car is cold. Warm starts... no problem. But there were a couple times where the starter didn't disengage (whiiiizzzzzz) from the flywheel so I had to shut it down and restart.
As soon as I get a floorjack that actually works (damn Pep Boys POS) I'll be able to get the car on jackstands and check it out.
One thing to note--- this only happens when the car is cold. Warm starts... no problem. But there were a couple times where the starter didn't disengage (whiiiizzzzzz) from the flywheel so I had to shut it down and restart.
