Starter problem

[Rocketkid]

- Starter on my 1981 went out, no clicks or anything.

- Replaced with Napa refurbished with the most common parts replaced. ($40)

- I have a starting problem, when I try to start the car most the time I hear click only (the solenoid actuates) but the started doesn't engage. The problem happens on cold starts or hot, it could start the first time, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th time.

- I tried adding shims but nothing worked.

- I put in a new battery.

- Cleaned all the electrical connections.

- Experimented with shims, still the same.

- Went back to Napa got the new started tested and worked fine on the test machine.

- I Replaced the starter with another Napa starter refurbished most parts ($75), problem is still there.

- There is electricity flowing to the starter when the solenoid tries to actuate. I tested it at the started when my father in-law was trying to start the car.

- The car always starts eventually; it's just annoying and a little embarrassing when people are around.

- This problem didn’t exist with my old starter only with these new ones.



Any help is appreciated



sam

 

[JohnZ]

Check both ends of both the positive and negative battery cables and the engine-to-frame ground cable VERY carefully; many of the original cables were copper-clad aluminum, and will corrode inside the outer jacket and nearly turn to dust, not visible from the outside.