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1989 starter problem

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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 09:14 AM
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Default 1989 starter problem

Once in a while when I try to start the vette the starter doesn't engage.This car had a starter put on it at 90,000 km(2008) and has 111,000 km now.Are these cars hard on starters?Is the real problem a bad flywheel?I just bought the car but I have service history from the last owner.
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by C-4 owner
Once in a while when I try to start the vette the starter doesn't engage.This car had a starter put on it at 90,000 km(2008) and has 111,000 km now.Are these cars hard on starters?Is the real problem a bad flywheel?I just bought the car but I have service history from the last owner.
Is the car an A4 or a MT? There's potentially multiple issues but you need to provide more information. Starter doesn't engage or starter engages with just a click and no crank OR?

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions regarding either of the parts you mentioned FIRST!
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Is the car an A4 or a MT? There's potentially multiple issues but you need to provide more information. Starter doesn't engage or starter engages with just a click and no crank OR?

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions regarding either of the parts you mentioned FIRST!
Its a Automatic car and the sound it makes is like when you try to start a car that is already running
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 10:31 AM
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Sounds like the starter isn't engaging the flywheel...Check the flywheel first to make sure some teeth aren't ripped out in places , if the flywheel is ok it's most likely a bad bendix in the starter, it may even be the solenoid....You have 3 choices, repair, rebuild or replace...If you need to replace, I have found sticking to a stock type starter is better then the aftermarket starters, I went through 2 aftermarket starters and never got one that worked properly...Ebay has some on their site made by a company called "DB electrical" , 2 friends of mine have used these and liked them...These are new starters not rebuilt....WW

Last edited by WW7; Aug 4, 2015 at 09:49 AM.
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 11:22 AM
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Do you do your own maintenance or is this a 'for hire' project?

Cables and connections - check them all! Don't rule out just an electrical issue then...

If you do your own I'd probably first check the teeth of the flywheel 'as mentioned' - rotating the flywheel isn't a difficult task. I'd check also the fit of the starter drive to the flywheel (both depth of penetration and the gap to flywheel). You might check the branding or the physical appearance of the starter motor, it could already have one of the 'lesser' after-market products installed and that certainly could be an issue.

I don't believe there's any short cut to the required procedures.
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Do you do your own maintenance or is this a 'for hire' project?

Cables and connections - check them all! Don't rule out just an electrical issue then...

If you do your own I'd probably first check the teeth of the flywheel 'as mentioned' - rotating the flywheel isn't a difficult task. I'd check also the fit of the starter drive to the flywheel (both depth of penetration and the gap to flywheel). You might check the branding or the physical appearance of the starter motor, it could already have one of the 'lesser' after-market products installed and that certainly could be an issue.

I don't believe there's any short cut to the required procedures.
I do my own work on my cars so I will check the frywheel.......just wondering if this was a common problem?This will be 2 starters in 20,000 kms
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by C-4 owner
I do my own work on my cars so I will check the frywheel.......just wondering if this was a common problem?This will be 2 starters in 20,000 kms
You don't know that it's a starter problem now or that it was originally. If it was a replacement of 'lesser' quality then maybe it's just what was purchased. Maybe the starter is just hanging there loose on the mounting hardware. Don't condemn it yet, check it closely paying attention from the time you begin. I might go so far as to 'load-test' the entire electrical, that's likely never been done so ...............
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
You don't know that it's a starter problem now or that it was originally. If it was a replacement of 'lesser' quality then maybe it's just what was purchased. Maybe the starter is just hanging there loose on the mounting hardware. Don't condemn it yet, check it closely paying attention from the time you begin. I might go so far as to 'load-test' the entire electrical, that's likely never been done so ...............
I just replaced the alternator because of a squeeking noise and the battery and cables look good........the car was looked after before I got it its just got some noises I don't like...........it allways starts just not allways the first time......new car blues....
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Old Aug 3, 2015 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by C-4 owner
I just replaced the alternator because of a squeeking noise and the battery and cables look good........the car was looked after before I got it its just got some noises I don't like...........it allways starts just not allways the first time......new car blues....
Looking good generally can't be determined to be 'performing well'. It's a 27 year old car - just check it all. Once and done maybe.
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