Help! Trouble starting...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Help! Trouble starting...
I have no idea what the problem is with my '92 vette. Its having trouble starting, especially when its been left sitting for more than a few hours. When I turn the key, there is a clicking noise but the engine just is not turning. After many tries, I am able to get it to turn and start. When it turns, it starts with no problem. If I stop at a gas station or something, I rarely have any trouble starting it back up. What could this be? Ive asked around the typical places like pep boys and autozone, but they havent been able to help me other than to verify its not my battery(which I never thought it was). I dont want to take it anywhere until I am reletively sure what the problem is. The problem is getting worse and I need to get it fixed before I get stranded someplace. Thanks in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
It sounds like you may have a problem with either the solenoid or perhaps the starter itself. When the car sits, it cools down which means that possibly the windings are contracting causing an open. How do you eventually get it started? What is the technique?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (ciscokid)
How do you eventually get it started? What is the technique?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
That would be embarassing. You definitely wouldn't want that car leaving you on a dinner date.
Another question is, you stated you hear a clicking sound. Is it one click or is it multiple clicks in a row?
Another question is, you stated you hear a clicking sound. Is it one click or is it multiple clicks in a row?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (ciscokid)
Another question is, you stated you hear a clicking sound. Is it one click or is it multiple clicks in a row?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,608
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From: I Hate Tourists FL
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
I am having the exact same problem with my 93 right now and am trying to figure it out as well. I am replacing the positive battery cable today because mine is severely corroded. I have taken a wire brush on a dremel to the either one but it still didnt get it fully clean. If this doesnt fix it, I will be going to O'Riellys and getting a new starter since that seems to be the concensus of people here. I got its either the battery connections or the starter. If you figure anything out let me know and I will do the same for you. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
Sounds like poor battery connection. Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the battery posts and the cable lugs until they are bright. Replace the cables (neg last). Your starter draws 100+ amps and requires very low resistance connections to the battery.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (jfb)
Sounds like poor battery connection. Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the battery posts and the cable lugs until they are bright. Replace the cables (neg last). Your starter draws 100+ amps and requires very low resistance connections to the battery.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
There is a way you can bypass the ignition switch. When the monster (problem) rears it ugly head, take a jumper cable to the positive side of the battery. Then attach the other end of the jumper cable to the terminal on the starter solenoid where the positive battery cable connects. If the starter is good, it will spin and turn your engine over immediately. The engine won't start up unless the key is in the On position.
The question is: what is this telling me? Well, I have eliminated 3 items in the starting circuit, the ignition switch, the positive battery cable and the starter solenoid. If the starter starts to sing I know my battery is good and so is my starter. Normally, battery cables don't go bad. Not that they can't. Ignition switches normally don't go bad either but starters do.
To perform this test requires you to jack up the car but can save you time and money by doing the process of elimination.
Hope this helps.
[Modified by ciscokid, 2:31 PM 7/28/2003]
[Modified by ciscokid, 2:35 PM 7/28/2003]
The question is: what is this telling me? Well, I have eliminated 3 items in the starting circuit, the ignition switch, the positive battery cable and the starter solenoid. If the starter starts to sing I know my battery is good and so is my starter. Normally, battery cables don't go bad. Not that they can't. Ignition switches normally don't go bad either but starters do.
To perform this test requires you to jack up the car but can save you time and money by doing the process of elimination.
Hope this helps.
[Modified by ciscokid, 2:31 PM 7/28/2003]
[Modified by ciscokid, 2:35 PM 7/28/2003]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (jfb)
Sounds like poor battery connection. Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the battery posts and the cable lugs until they are bright. Replace the cables (neg last). Your starter draws 100+ amps and requires very low resistance connections to the battery.
BTW, my car has been starting just fine over the last couple of days. I will get those cables checked out. Thanks for the advice. :flag
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
Hey Mick Jagger, I mean McShagger. Sorry, I couldn't help myself but when I read your call sign I immediately think of Mick Jagger.
Let us know what the problem turned out to be.
Let us know what the problem turned out to be.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD
Re: Help! Trouble starting... (McShagger)
Had a similar problem, starter would click, and on the 4rth or 5th try would the solenoid would engage and start. Really odd, would only occur every couple of months and would always start after a couple of attempts, then finally it would not engage (fortunately at home) so I checked the battery terminals had just a little corrosion on the positive, cleaned both terminals and tried again, still would not start, put in a new starter and fired right up.