Starter Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Starter Problem
I got in the Vette to participate in the local Christmas parade and the battery was dead. I jumped it off with my truck and the first try didn't work so I adjusted the cables and let it sit for a few minutes and tried again. I made a terrible grinding like the starter didn't fully engage. I thought well it isn't going to start and let it sit for a few more minutes. Tried one more time and it started right up. Let it run for a few minutes and thought I should try again before getting stranded with a dead battery. Well it made the same grinding noise (I hate to hear anything like that)and I gave up. The battery had 14.3 volts but apparently not enough amperage to fully engage the solenoid.
Took the battery out and took it to Autozone to test. Yep, tested bad. Got a new battery, same rating and finally got a chance to put it in this afternoon. Hit the key and it made the same noise. Crap!!! Never had any issues before except when I was jumping it off.
Is it the starter or solenoid just not picking up all the way? Is there a rebuild kit for the solenoid? How hard is it to replace the starter once the car is high enough to get under? Any pictures or other references? Anyone experienced this before? Thanks in advance for suggestions.
Took the battery out and took it to Autozone to test. Yep, tested bad. Got a new battery, same rating and finally got a chance to put it in this afternoon. Hit the key and it made the same noise. Crap!!! Never had any issues before except when I was jumping it off.
Is it the starter or solenoid just not picking up all the way? Is there a rebuild kit for the solenoid? How hard is it to replace the starter once the car is high enough to get under? Any pictures or other references? Anyone experienced this before? Thanks in advance for suggestions.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like the starter. If it is and you go to replace it and you still have the stock exhaust manifols, I suggest you hit the manifold to h-pipe nuts/studs with a good shot of WD-40 or PB Blaster the night before. They will be difficult to get off without breaking. Seems to never fail when I remove those.
I can send you the e-file version of the procedure out of the manual if you PM me your email address.
Here's the last starter I r&r'ed - was part of a header install.
Wrapped in heat barrier.
Starter out.
I can send you the e-file version of the procedure out of the manual if you PM me your email address.
Here's the last starter I r&r'ed - was part of a header install.
Wrapped in heat barrier.
Starter out.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Thee are TWO sepeate power supplies for the starter. One for the Solenoid and one fo the starter motor.
The solenoid gets its power from the IGNITION SWITCH via a feed from the HOT in RUN and Start circuit
The starter get its power directly from the battey.
MAKE SURE that the battey is FULLY CHARGED and the battey terminals are properly tightened. They need to be 11 ft/lbs tight to work correctly.
Last resort,,,,read the voltage on the solenoid when cranking. It should read BATTERY VOLTAGE. If it is LOW,,,your ignition switch is dropping voltage/current causing the solenoid to have a fit!
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the ignition switch is the issue, I have a FREE rebuild procedure.
Bill
The solenoid gets its power from the IGNITION SWITCH via a feed from the HOT in RUN and Start circuit
The starter get its power directly from the battey.
MAKE SURE that the battey is FULLY CHARGED and the battey terminals are properly tightened. They need to be 11 ft/lbs tight to work correctly.
Last resort,,,,read the voltage on the solenoid when cranking. It should read BATTERY VOLTAGE. If it is LOW,,,your ignition switch is dropping voltage/current causing the solenoid to have a fit!
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the ignition switch is the issue, I have a FREE rebuild procedure.
Bill
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Thee are TWO sepeate power supplies for the starter. One for the Solenoid and one fo the starter motor.
The solenoid gets its power from the IGNITION SWITCH via a feed from the HOT in RUN and Start circuit
The starter get its power directly from the battey.
MAKE SURE that the battey is FULLY CHARGED and the battey terminals are properly tightened. They need to be 11 ft/lbs tight to work correctly.
Last resort,,,,read the voltage on the solenoid when cranking. It should read BATTERY VOLTAGE. If it is LOW,,,your ignition switch is dropping voltage/current causing the solenoid to have a fit!
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the ignition switch is the issue, I have a FREE rebuild procedure.
Bill
The solenoid gets its power from the IGNITION SWITCH via a feed from the HOT in RUN and Start circuit
The starter get its power directly from the battey.
MAKE SURE that the battey is FULLY CHARGED and the battey terminals are properly tightened. They need to be 11 ft/lbs tight to work correctly.
Last resort,,,,read the voltage on the solenoid when cranking. It should read BATTERY VOLTAGE. If it is LOW,,,your ignition switch is dropping voltage/current causing the solenoid to have a fit!
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the ignition switch is the issue, I have a FREE rebuild procedure.
Bill
Checked the battery and yes the terminals are tight. Never thought about the ignition switch being the problem. I'll let you know if I need the rebuild procedure once I check everything else.
