95 starter motor staying engaged
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
95 starter motor staying engaged
Before the winter I was having starting issues. Car would not crank, would just click loud and dash would go out. Retry it again and would start up fine. That went on about a month, then one day I got it started and the starter motor stayed engaged.
Loud winding noise. I could hear the starter motor disengage, then re-engage randomly while idling. The last time I started it, I had to disconnect the battery because it just kept trying to start the motor with the keys out.
Besides a possible wiring issue, or replacing the starter motor, could I possibly just replace the solenoid, assuming that is the culprit?
Loud winding noise. I could hear the starter motor disengage, then re-engage randomly while idling. The last time I started it, I had to disconnect the battery because it just kept trying to start the motor with the keys out.
Besides a possible wiring issue, or replacing the starter motor, could I possibly just replace the solenoid, assuming that is the culprit?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
The solenoid would NOT cause the dahs to go dark and/or the symptom of a dead battery...then magically be OK.
The Ign switch on the column would.
I would also go thru ALL the battery connections. There are some small wires to the battery that feed the ECM and other things inside the cabin. If the contacts are dirty they will do this too.
If you are not good at tracing electrical and do not have a FSM set, BUY THEM ! Priceless books. Absolutely priceless.
Anyone that thinks they don't need them,.is simply full of **** ! ! !
or
find the nearest auto-electric shop. They can diagnose in 1 hr or less and let YOU do the fix. Just be sure its a real auto-electric shop and not some wanna be that does electric as a supplement to their radiator business or tune-ups. Real elec shops will have some very cool diagnostic tools that remove the guess work.
If the starter has been spun at engine idle speed, its gonna be toast. You're lucky it did not explode. I had one do this and the added RPM, stress cause the nose to break apart..
The Ign switch on the column would.
I would also go thru ALL the battery connections. There are some small wires to the battery that feed the ECM and other things inside the cabin. If the contacts are dirty they will do this too.
If you are not good at tracing electrical and do not have a FSM set, BUY THEM ! Priceless books. Absolutely priceless.
Anyone that thinks they don't need them,.is simply full of **** ! ! !
or
find the nearest auto-electric shop. They can diagnose in 1 hr or less and let YOU do the fix. Just be sure its a real auto-electric shop and not some wanna be that does electric as a supplement to their radiator business or tune-ups. Real elec shops will have some very cool diagnostic tools that remove the guess work.
If the starter has been spun at engine idle speed, its gonna be toast. You're lucky it did not explode. I had one do this and the added RPM, stress cause the nose to break apart..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
This thread reminds me of a discussing not too long ago about solenoids and the dirty plungers causing problems.
What I would do is remove the wire (S wire) from the starter. Then connect a voltmeter to it and place it in the engine compartment so I could see it. Then you can play around with the key and ignition switch to see if voltage appears on the wire when it should not be. Not the only way to troubleshoot it but is a safe and non-destructive way.
What I would do is remove the wire (S wire) from the starter. Then connect a voltmeter to it and place it in the engine compartment so I could see it. Then you can play around with the key and ignition switch to see if voltage appears on the wire when it should not be. Not the only way to troubleshoot it but is a safe and non-destructive way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Could be a faulty wiring issue, perhaps the positive is getting grounded, and causing the the starter motor to engage randomly. It wouldn't take much on the LT1 starters.
The solenoid and the starter are one unit on these cars. I bet if you replace the starter, it will fix this issue. A few years ago I had the issue of the starter staying engaged on random start ups. I did it for a couple of weeks then stopped doing it. Then a few months later the spring broke and the gear wouldn't engage the flywheel at all.
Reman'd starters aren't all that expensive and mine has lasted over four years thus far. As far changing it out, it takes longer to lift the car than it does to actually swap the starter.
The solenoid and the starter are one unit on these cars. I bet if you replace the starter, it will fix this issue. A few years ago I had the issue of the starter staying engaged on random start ups. I did it for a couple of weeks then stopped doing it. Then a few months later the spring broke and the gear wouldn't engage the flywheel at all.
Reman'd starters aren't all that expensive and mine has lasted over four years thus far. As far changing it out, it takes longer to lift the car than it does to actually swap the starter.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
All the repair part are available cheaply for the solenoid and plunger ; the usual cause of Denso problems
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Latrobe PA
Really sounds like a low voltage problem, probably a dirty battery connection. On the first try to start with low battery voltage due to dirt causes arcing and a better connection and it will start on the second try.
The cause of it still trying to start with key off is because the low voltage/high amperage condition causes the copper contact washer in the solenoid to overheat and weld to the contacts so the return spring can't break the connection. Disconnecting the battery allows the solenoid to cool and the washer and contacts separate.
The solenoid will need to be replaced as the pitted washer/contacts will fail in a short time.
The cause of it still trying to start with key off is because the low voltage/high amperage condition causes the copper contact washer in the solenoid to overheat and weld to the contacts so the return spring can't break the connection. Disconnecting the battery allows the solenoid to cool and the washer and contacts separate.
The solenoid will need to be replaced as the pitted washer/contacts will fail in a short time.
Last edited by 1lndonr; Apr 8, 2014 at 02:09 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
All the repair part are available cheaply for the solenoid and plunger ; the usual cause of Denso problems
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
I've never seen that before, and it is pretty cool. However, unless someone just wants to tinker with their starter for fun, given the relative low cost of a Denso reman and the simple ease of replacing one with another, I'd just get a new starter. Seriously, 15 min tops to replace. Two bolts and plug in connection and done.
If you removed a reman then there's little doubt that another reman might go back on. The chains offer those "lifetime" warranties BUT I'd still be tempted to check the condition of the one I had a problem with.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Also see
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
I believe if I had an OE/GM starter I'd certainly do the replacement of the small parts regardless the price you mention of the reman units. The parts are on the shelf at most every small electrical shop there is and there's generally no need for anything else.
If you removed a reman then there's little doubt that another reman might go back on. The chains offer those "lifetime" warranties BUT I'd still be tempted to check the condition of the one I had a problem with.
If you removed a reman then there's little doubt that another reman might go back on. The chains offer those "lifetime" warranties BUT I'd still be tempted to check the condition of the one I had a problem with.
Like I said, if you want to tinker with it, and have the luxury of time, then sure, absolutely rebuild it yourself. But there's also nothing wrong with just replacing it either.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Got it out today!
Decided to jack it up right away. We removed the ignition wire and connected the battery to see if it would crank without the key. It did crank. So not the ignition wiring. Had to be the solenoid stuck. It was rainy and getting dark out so we did the simplest thing before we took it out and called it a day, we hit it a few times with the ratchet!
Surprisingly it worked, and it starts fine without issues.
I know this issue could reappear but going to see if it acts up at all next couple days. If so, I know what to change.
Good find on that repair kit! Maybe an option for me.
THANKS GUYS!
Decided to jack it up right away. We removed the ignition wire and connected the battery to see if it would crank without the key. It did crank. So not the ignition wiring. Had to be the solenoid stuck. It was rainy and getting dark out so we did the simplest thing before we took it out and called it a day, we hit it a few times with the ratchet!
Surprisingly it worked, and it starts fine without issues.
I know this issue could reappear but going to see if it acts up at all next couple days. If so, I know what to change.
Good find on that repair kit! Maybe an option for me.
THANKS GUYS!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
drove it today. No Starter staying engaged... but the engine is not starting again sometimes. I have to crank the key over again to get it to start, sometimes once, sometime more. Seems to do it when engine is hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Stop messing around before you really get into a jam. You'll be on the road with no tools and the darn thing will engage. You will have a out of control situation where some real damage might occur. $$$$$$$
You found the problem, I would complete the repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Just my opinion.
Stop messing around before you really get into a jam. You'll be on the road with no tools and the darn thing will engage. You will have a out of control situation where some real damage might occur. $$$$$$$
You found the problem, I would complete the repair.
Stop messing around before you really get into a jam. You'll be on the road with no tools and the darn thing will engage. You will have a out of control situation where some real damage might occur. $$$$$$$
You found the problem, I would complete the repair.
If the starter stays engaged, not only will it burn up the starter motor, and possibly fry some wires and fuses in the process, but it can also wreak havoc on your flywheel/flexplate.
The slow start very well could be a sign that the starter motor is having issues, or of course it could be unrelated. But the only way to know for sure is fix the known issue first.
Anyway, good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Go ahead and get the plunger and stationary contacts for the solenoid. It sounds like that's all you need for now. The last ones I bought were about $15 total cost and really easy to change. I'm certain that will fix your problem.............unless the ground side of the solenoid windings is compromised. I've never seen that though. Just trying to be forum thorough.
Just trying to be forum thorough.