Is there an aftermarket starter that will fit the 1990 L98?
After a reliable 5 years on a brand new starter from GM, I'm getting the familiar heatsoak no-start problem again. The 1990 L98 starter is different from the old GM design, I do not see that it is any better, and it is certainly less reliable. I did a search on all the C4 archives and read about familiar experiences.
The last go-around, I went the re-built route and will not be so stupid again (3 Autozone rebuilt starters in 2 weeks, the third one did not work at all!, got my money back and went to see the General).
This is no fun when you have places to be.

 

What exactly is happening to the starter? I mean.... what symtoms are you getting? Solenoid no longer engaging? Or just nothing from the solonoid or starter altogether?

 

I hear a small click and see the voltage drop on the voltmeter, but engine does not turn over. Car had been sitting for 30-45 minutes after a long drive, 85 deg outside. Walked down the street to a resturant, had lunch (another 45 minutes), went back to car and it started like it was brand new. Battery is a brand new Optima (gell cell), reading 12.65 volts (I carry a voltmeter at all times :) ) Wonder why?
These (circa 1990) starters have a built in solenoid. I took one apart about 5 years ago. The solenoid contacts seem huge compared to the old solenoids, but they were pitted/arched/stuck together. That particular starter went through the "starter still engaged" with the motor running phenomenon, the solenoid had welded its contacts together. Newer designs are not always better, this is the first car that I have ever seen that happen to, and it appears not to be an isolated case on the forum for that matter.
$260 dollars for a starter/solenoid is ridiculous. In the old days 5$ worth of brushes and bearings, a $7 solenoid and some small amount of time on a drillstand with some emory cloth would last longer than than these space age wonders :mad Right now I would like to find an "old style that would fit" and get away from these expensive "Now we gottcha" designs.
I saw some posts about Toyota parts that would fit these era starters, does that apply to the 1990 starters?
As far as weight savings; bench pressing a 15lb starter 10 times is a lot more work than bench pressing a 25lb startrer twice :D (and no, I do not know what they actually weigh, but you get the idea)

 

GM went to a lighter Hitachi starter in 90 or 91. You either have the old style 21 lb monster or the lighter Japanese starter. You can get a new lightweight stock starter for about 220 or buy one of the aftermarket models like Tilton. They are supposed to last about 4 times as along as the stock light weight one.

You can also rebuild the light weight stock one. Take the cover plate off of the solenoid and take it to a toyota dealer. They will need it to be sure they give you the correct contact sets. The parts cost about 20 bucks. Play close attention to how the contatcts are put together. Check on the web for toyota starter rebuild. There was a site where the author went into detail on how to do it. Brushes should last until the second solenoid rebuild at 140K miles.

 

Your battery voltage should not fall below 9.0 volts when cranking or your battery is discharged, at the end of its life, or the battery cable connections are not clean and tight. It would be worth your while to remove the cables and clean the cable lugs and the battery posts and reconnect.

 

AquaMetallic94LT1,
Thanks, That is the kind of information I needed. I'll certainly look into the Tilton starter and will follow your advice on finding rebuild parts for the current one. The current starter is lighter than the old GM starter, but it is appears to be close to the same size (disregarding the lack of an external solenoid).
Again, Thanks.