Damn I think my starter went out

[UB2 SLOW]

All I get is a click when I try to turn over the engine. Battery is still good. Hopefully its a Tranny linkage instead of the Starter.

 

[vettenick]

If that's the starter that's clicking, then the plunger in the solenoid is pulling in, however, the copper disc that makes contact from the battery cable to the motor is probably corroded up from use. If you're lucky, you can take it apart and clean it up with a scotchbrite pad. Just make sure that you disconnect the negative battery cable before you take it out.

 

[tnovot]

no start

I would say that if you hear a click (power to the solenoid), it's not the starter or any kind of safety lockout but rather the solenoid itself.

 

[JOliver]

Well I feel you ,Same problem just happened on my 90...Unfortunatly it happened Christmas day when I took the car 150 miles to my girlfriend's grandfathers place on the TN river...so now I have to replace the starter up there or get it home...I'm thinking about just buying a new unit and giving it a try.

Good luck with yours


Jason
VetteInstruments@aol.com

 

[582Boat]

Click

Sometimes you think your battery is good, but not. I had the experience with the solenoid just clicking when I attenpted to start the Vette, lights were bright and all that stuff, finally found that the battery had failed and tricked into think that it was good. Replace the battery and see if that isn't your problem, or better yet borrow a friends good battery and check.

 

[Edmond]

Re: Click

Sometimes you think your battery is good, but not. I had the experience with the solenoid just clicking when I attenpted to start the Vette, lights were bright and all that stuff, finally found that the battery had failed and tricked into think that it was good. Replace the battery and see if that isn't your problem, or better yet borrow a friends good battery and check.

I know very well what you mean by that. There seems to be almost no warning, until it's too late, that your battery is going to die.

 

[Moffitt]

Sounds like mine!

New contacts and a plunger in the starter solenoid.
One and a half hours and $18 was all it took me (R&R and repair).
The rebuilder that sold me the parts said that he has seen plenty of low mileage failures (mine was at 60K when it expired).
My advice would be to repair your own, most rebuilt units are cheaply done and unreliable, and no match to the original in quality!
You can always get a lifetime warranty? I think that means you will spend most of your lifetime taking them off, walking to and from the parts store and then, putting another back on.
Good luck!

 

[Eagle85C4]

Mine did that, I used a small ball peen hammer for a while....just reach up there and give the starter a whack and try to restart. Usually it is enough to jar it into working but be warned it is a very temporary solution it will fail all together. Replacement is a breeze if you jack that side up. Just enough room with stock exhaust to drop it down...

 

[Gorgon]

Mine was doing this as well, but if I turned it enough times the car would start. Took the positive battery cable off and was amazed at all the corrosion on the terminal. I cleaned it up and so far all is good. Well kinda...

There was som much corrosion that it is essentially running down the cable. I have a new cable on order and will be replacing it as soon as I get it. I was also thinking it could have been the starter. Looks like just a crummy cable.

Leon

 

[Red73BB]

Crummy cables will do that, I have have what I thought a starter problem, but I was a combination of things,
1. fuseable link was very weak and exposed.
2. Ground strap by the starter was lose, and the wrong size (bubba did it!)
3. Replace the negative battery cable. Old and corrorded.

Another Bubba job, was the neg. battery cable grommet was missing. So Bubba used house caulk. One tug and all the caulk pulled away

 

[UB2 SLOW]

I am currently using the handle on a hammer. With the headerst that I have, I can slide the handle right through the tubes and pop the starter. But just like you said, its a temp fix only. I am going to try and get it taken care of over the weekend.

 

[Eagle85C4]

Hey Marine...

If the hammer is working then it is the solenoid....it can be replaced by itself but I have always felt if one part of it is going better to replace the same thing. It would be kinda like replacing the clutch and pressure plate without the throwout bearing....sure as heck a month later you are pulling it apart again.

Capt. Eagle

 

[UB2 SLOW]

I have always felt if one part of it is going better to replace the same thing. It would be kinda like replacing the clutch and pressure plate without the throwout bearing....sure as heck a month later you are pulling it apart again.

I agree, I would rather spend a little extra time and money to replace something at the same time, then have to pull it off again later.

 

[oldace84]

Charging system, Stating system. All need you to give that baby a good check. Cables etc.
You will probably find something simple that you just overlooked.
I always get so frustrated that I don't see the trees for the forest.
Anyway
goodluck
tony