4 starters in 6 months....why??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
4 starters in 6 months....why??
I have been replacing my starter about every 3 months. When i bought the first o rielly reman about a year ago it worked for about 6 months, ever since then they have failed about every 2 months or so, same problem every time. I go to start it and it wont turn over, just a click. Usually after that it turns right over, until progressively over a few weeks or so it gets worse and worse until i get a click 10 or more times i turn the key before it actually starts. If i go much longer than this it stops cranking altogether. When i take them it to get tested the starters spin but the gear never actually comes out of them. What can the problem be with my car that is killing all my starters? At first i just thought it was the orielly starters but this is the fourth or fifth one. Can anybody suggest something that it could be?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
Could be poor quality reman starter. If using reman I suggest ac-delco reman. Very good quality rebuilds. If engine has lots of compression you may want to step up to a gear reduction starter. Also if you have headers you may want to rap starter with thermo tech wrap. Hope this helps.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: conover,nc,usa
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
Go to your local GM dealer and get a new starter. Some of the rebuilders only replace the bad part in the starter. Doing that you have a starter with mostly used parts.
I have used the AutoZone life time starters without any problem. The life time starter has all new components in the starter, only the case is used.
If your starter contenues not to engage, it could damage the teeth on the fly-wheel. Just change one of those boys, that a days work.
In your case I would recomend a OEM starter.
Just my opinion, mickeyt
I have used the AutoZone life time starters without any problem. The life time starter has all new components in the starter, only the case is used.
If your starter contenues not to engage, it could damage the teeth on the fly-wheel. Just change one of those boys, that a days work.
In your case I would recomend a OEM starter.
Just my opinion, mickeyt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
Sounds like they are using crappy replacement solenoids on the remans. If you feel like tinkering with it, remove the solenoid, open it up if you can, and clean the contacts. That should get it going again. I recommend biting the bullet and buying a delco starter.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 616
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From: San Diego, Ca USA
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
Check the quality of your battery cables and connectors in the starting circuit. Bad wires will increase current draw, which will in turn destroy your starter. And battery too
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (TRWSD90)
I know the lifetime starters (remans) are atractive. IMO the lifetime part of the deal means you will be under your car replacing them for a lifetime. Buy a new one.........
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
I had similar problems on my 86...It seems to have been bad cheapo starters and the heat soak!
Ive noticed since I replaced my front Y pipe with a NO cats Y pipe,the starters last alot longer.The pre-cat is RIGHT under the starter,so close its baking it with heat.Removing the precat Y pipe reduces heat there alot.When the starter heats up,The solenoid sticks,and who knows what else, and you need a hammer to bang on the starter a few times to get it to work free.Been there many times!I have a different starter design than your year but the idea is the same.
The autozone starters is what I had the most problems with.I also agree to make sure the battery cables are good and if theyre old,replace them with new ones.Ive been thinking about trying to rig up a remote starter solenoid.Summit racing and other sell them.Basically you can relocate the solenoid away from engine heat so the spring inside wont get heat soaked,expand and stick like a **** that renders you stuck somewhere.
Im unsure if that would work for me on the 86,but I may try a new Delco unit first if the starter I have fails again.If that dotn work,see about solenoid relocating if it can be done.
:smash: :crazy:
Ive noticed since I replaced my front Y pipe with a NO cats Y pipe,the starters last alot longer.The pre-cat is RIGHT under the starter,so close its baking it with heat.Removing the precat Y pipe reduces heat there alot.When the starter heats up,The solenoid sticks,and who knows what else, and you need a hammer to bang on the starter a few times to get it to work free.Been there many times!I have a different starter design than your year but the idea is the same.
The autozone starters is what I had the most problems with.I also agree to make sure the battery cables are good and if theyre old,replace them with new ones.Ive been thinking about trying to rig up a remote starter solenoid.Summit racing and other sell them.Basically you can relocate the solenoid away from engine heat so the spring inside wont get heat soaked,expand and stick like a **** that renders you stuck somewhere.
Im unsure if that would work for me on the 86,but I may try a new Delco unit first if the starter I have fails again.If that dotn work,see about solenoid relocating if it can be done.
:smash: :crazy:
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Re: 4 starters in 6 months....why?? (Wheelman)
Get a new starter, either Delco or one of the high torque racing starters. Then to protect it even more, get a heat shield to wrap around it. My starter was the first thing I had to replace after I got my '94 last year. Well, ok second after the dry rotted tires that had been on there from the previous owner.
