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Have a thing going on with my 84. Couple weeks ago, went to do some errands. Stopped at the post office, came out starter grinded then started. went to my next stop came out? NOTHING! no click, over 12v. Assumed it was the starter or solenoid. Under warranty AC Delco Gold. Got a new one today, installed, high pitch whine when starting. 4 or 5 starts later no start. Faint clicks. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, Joe
Is it an auto or 4+3? If it’s a 4+3 is the neutral start switch still in good shape? Also, is the starter “shimmed” correctly? If too close or too far, it could cause some problems (I was born in 2003 so I had no idea a starter even needed to be shimmed until 6 months ago).
Those caused me problems before. Once those were resolved, my 84 with a Duralast Gold starter (not my idea, PO’s idea) starts all the time without too many issues. Could be something else, so be diligent and maybe post a video of the starter grind sounds so that one of the resident forum gurus can diagnose.
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Faint clicks may be due to poor electrical connections at the battery, starter and grounds. Just because the starter is new doesn't mean it cant be defective. Is the battery reading 12.8 volts with engine off and 13.8-14.2 when engine ran?
Have a thing going on with my 84. Couple weeks ago, went to do some errands. Stopped at the post office, came out starter grinded then started. went to my next stop came out? NOTHING! no click, over 12v. Assumed it was the starter or solenoid. Under warranty AC Delco Gold. Got a new one today, installed, high pitch whine when starting. 4 or 5 starts later no start. Faint clicks. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, Joe
grinding and high pitch whine could be a solenoid problem. grinding could be a spacer problem. check all ground connections. faint clicks is solenoid clicking, could be bad ground.
High pitched whine is usually a starter that needs shimming.
Faint clicking could be lack of sufficient power and possibly contacts in solenoid.
If you can’t find the problem looking at connections, pull the starter and bench test it.
Years ago I had the exact same issue with my 84 after I changed the starter. I didn't shim it correctly. Add a shim or two and see if the problem improves or changes. This is a common issue with a SBC.
Thanks for all the responses. I too thought the starter may need shimming,however the instructions from AC Delco stated no shimming required. For what it's worth.
Thanks for all the responses. I too thought the starter may need shimming,however the instructions from AC Delco stated no shimming required. For what it's worth.
That's some BS marketing. The reason for shimming is differences in the engine block mounting surfaces and flywheel/flexplate. So how can they sell a starter that claims to not need it? You definitely need to check and see if it needs a shim. Did the old starter use a shim? If it did put it back in and see what happens.
Frustrating Starter Problem 84
