I bought my son a '92 vette back in April. When I got it, she started 1/4 turn of the key - nice, no hesitation, every time. After he had been driving it a while (about early summer) the car failed to start one day - just a whir noise (no pinion gear engagement).

Ok, car had 81K miles - starters go bad, no big deal. Picked up one from Jeff K and had a dealer install it for $90. Before it got off the ramp, the tech came and got me and the Service Mgr to listen to the starter - which sounded like it was trying to pull out then re-engage the flywheel. This was a no-no! Without hesitation, since the tech had inspected the flywheel and found it in perfect shape, they ordered another starter.

Starter came in and was replaced (free) next day. Flywheel inspected again and found to have no damage - none on the pinion gear either. Perhaps 1 out of 10 tries it made a similar but far less loud noise. I agreed to take the car and monitor the starter. Been about 6 weeks now and the noise has gradually come back to the point that I'm becoming concerned it might damage the flywheel or fail all together. It sounds bad when cold, but almost as bad when warmed up - everytime it is started.

Back up to the dealer today. Service Mgr gave a listened and promptly when to get the tech who previously installed the (2) starters. "wow, that starter is shot again...". So another starter was put on order and I await a new one (under warranty but its free including labor).

Here's where it gets interesting... the Service Mgr is now becoming
"annoyed" at having to put a third starter in the car. I tell him I think its the maching on the new starters that is the problem - they are installing them without any shims (though the original starter had none). But he is now trying to tell me the flywheel is the culprit - what else could be causing these starters to go bad - he says. I remind him that the first starter they put in was bad the first time it was turned over - he didn't have a reply for that one!

I told him that I had talked with an electrican and had my original starter rebuilt. The electrican (based upon the damage done to my starter) told me I needed to change the positive battery cable - not enough current was reaching the starter. So I bought a GM replacement cable at $10!
But, the Service Mgr tells me (after reading his "hours" book) that it will cost me $147.50 to install it!!

Holy moly :crazy:

I figure this weekend me and my son might try to change the cable but the Service Mgr made waves saying that if I touched anything on the car now he would not warranty the starter! He's obviously trying to get me for the cost of installing that cable, but what else can I do.

Now I know about going to dealers... call me stupid :rolleyes:

But can anyone offer any other ideas/experience as to what might be causing these starters to go bad? I've also (last week) had a new key lock cyclinder installed thinking internal connections might be cutting the circuit or power (like twisting the key would).

Help! :smash:

 

I figure this weekend me and my son might try to change the cable but the Service Mgr made waves saying that if I touched anything on the car now he would not warranty the starter! He's obviously trying to get me for the cost of installing that cable, but what else can I do.

I talked to the Service Manager at my dealership and he said this is BS! They are responsible for the starter only. If you choose to change the pos. cable, that's up to you. My guy was pissed that they told you that. He says that's why the dealers are called rip-off artists.

Hope someone else chimes in here.....That's one man's opinion.

 

Just wnated to pass along that from my OWN experience,if you get a new or rebuilt starter,they sometimes need SHIMS.(You already mentioned that soyou know this)

Even if your cable is bad,they cant simply unbolt the old starter and install a new one without checking clearances.

I had problems with my 86 starter several times myself...the stocker didnt have a shim but the replacements I got needed shims or they would whine or grind during starting.You have a newer and different model but the idea is the same.

Very few cars will take a starter out of the box without shim work and also,the manger tellng you if YOU change the cable,they will void the warranty is BS!
For what reason?

WTH?If you add a new cable,you cant possible make the starter any worse but Better!
Hes simply telling you they cant fix it right and you changing a cable or wire is giving them a reason to avoid responsibility.It wold be different if you changed the cable,screwed up something and THEN they seen what you did on the repair job.
Sounds Like pure BS to me..dont even tell them again you even changed the cable...most service managers dont ever walk under the cars anyways.