ls1121

It's been a day. I started by taking the Vette for inspection. On the way there my coolant level warning came on like 3 times and I cleared it every time. When I got to my buddies shop the car would not start, kinda strange. So I thought..... maybe if I add water the car would start so I did and it did . On the ride home I checked the voltage on my DIC and it read only 11.7 volts. My 1st thought was the alternator was bad so I read the voltage coming out of it and it was 14.9 volts. I quickly came to the forum and read up on "service charging system" and it seemed that I had starter issues. So I thought I would drop the starter. Well it wasn't all that easy because I installed a ZR1 exhaust (and welded it in) and it was in the way. So off to removing the cat but there was no room so I had to remove the exhaust manifold then drop the Cat so I could get to the starter. Well as I was removing the starter I realized that I did not have to disconnect the wire because it was burnt thru.
So Hats off to you guys because you were right again, good thing I did not buy an alternator or I would really be pissed.

So now for the assistance...... where can I get a starter solenoid? I see them on ebay but can I get one somewhere else?

unclecookie

Check local parts stores. I haven't bought a starter solenoid in years, but all the parts stores used to carry them. If you want to go with a GM solenoid, check with the online and forum vendors. You might want to check the starter itself. You may find that the whole unit needs to be replaced.

ls1121

I checked the local parts stores and no one sells just the solenoid just the whole starter and there are all likely made in china. I might wind up going that way if I must but I would rather have an ac delco part.

thevetteman5

Rock auto.com.is the place to get all your mechanical parts. Their prices cant be beat and they ship as fast as Amazon...

RicK T

Several here have mentioned using Rock Auto with great success. Example:


And here are a couple of other choices:

COMMANDER2OOO

Rockauto is good.

ls1121

OK so I'm looking at rock auto website at the Remy starters and the

96242 is new at $79.99 no core charge

26640 is re-manufactured at $86.79 has a core charge

why is the New one cheaper?

cclive

There are shops that just repair starters and alternators...they will put a new solenoid on the otherwise good starter. Dano523 said it was a Valeo solenoid.

ls1121

Yes I read that also I just cannot find that part nor can I find any local shop that actually repairs starters. Up north you can find a shop to do this almost anywhere but here in the Charlotte area all I have been able to find is a garage that will replace the starter. I can rebuild my own starters and alternators if I could find the parts. I did it for years while I was living in NJ. I hate wasting money but I think I will just buy the Remy starter and put it in.

AORoads

I'd guess rebuilding was when parts were relatively available at every auto parts store. That's not the case any longer---just rebuilt complete units. Still, if you don't mind the down time for the car, I just googled a page for rebuild kits for starters and here's what I came up with:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=car+sta...onversationid=

It's better and probably easier than finding rebuild kits for carbs because at least starters are still in new cars (carbs aren't).

Dano523

Your kidding right,

I just did a google search for starter repair shops and came up with this one first hit.

http://www.carolina-autoelectric.com/services.html

Call around, and tell them that you need a Valeo starter solenoid to replace the one on your Valeo starter. They will have you bring down the starter, find the solenoid that is needed (may not be from Valeo itself), and either hand it to you for around $25, or swap it out on the starter for around $40 isntead.

Hence you can't find the # needed via a chart back to the vet starter since Valeo themselves will not list it, but since the same solenoid is used on a few valeo starters that are not used on the vet, the shop just needs to see the connectors on the solenoid and will know which one you need instead.

ls1121

wow did not see them in my search efforts but I will give them a call on monday for sure.

Don-Vette

Wrap the starter with a heat shielding material. To prevent this from happening again. $18 at Summit Racing
Copy and paste link....

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/sum-350118-1?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKEAjwsYW6BRCTzvu5 y8DPhi0SJABnGLlHiiCqNFaZTkcrSlOhrm51iCPf TqZKHuagnXWuYP1LAhoCZFrw_wcB

gsjohnny

Hello. If you buy a starter to replace yours. Check the length of the post for the positive connection. I had starter issues a few weeks ago. Got a starter from one place. Kept shorting out. Finally, three starters later , I went to a different parts store , much shorter post. No problems. It was shorting to the block by the way.

cclive

Dano is a Googling maniac...LOL

mikeCsix

In looking at the picture of the starter, the key to the issue is the corrosion on the studs.

LifeInAVette

Thread lurker here. How often does this happen for the starters in our cars? Would it be a worthwhile investment getting this heat shield wrap? Or is this problem not that common to worry about?

EDIT: and would using one of these cause or prevent the corrosion / rust issue the OP is having on his starter? Would this wrap catch and trap water / moisture?

Don-Vette

I only mentioned it because the OP has the larger ZR1 exhaust and the pipes may be closer to the starter even more so if using headers. It strictly only protects from the heat nothing more.

CadVette

Beware of starters that are rebuilt from local parts stores. Too often they are rebuilt with cheap Chinese parts that will only last about one year. I have a good friend of mine that has a vintage F150 and we purchased several rebuilt starters that always failed. From there you only have two choices that are worth it. One is to buy a kit to rebuid it yourself. These are companies that are located in the good old U.S.A. The second option is to buy a racing gear reduction starter. We chose the second option even though it was not original. Five years later, no problems.

ls1121

I ordered this from Summit tonight and should be here for the weekend.
The starter is in a very tight space. I am wondering if it would be better to wrap the starter or wrap that piece of the exhaust pipe/cat?