Anyone else doomed to do this every time they wanna start their car? I am not sure wether my starter is bad or not or if there is an issue elsewhere, I have not had time to really diagnose my starting issues so I have been stuck push starting my car everywhere I go. After 5 days of this I am kinda tired of it. I was going to post about this earlier but I didnt want to get chastised for asking too many questions or making too many posts. Anyway...

The Solenoid clicks on but does not engage the flywheel or turn it over. I tried turning the key over while the engine was running just to see if the thing would engage at all and it does make a quick grinding noise.

I make 12.84 across the battery and all the electronics work fine with the key on... and the alternator seems to be keeping the battery charged.

Also tried banging the starter with a hammer while my buddy tried to crank it over.

Is there a way to check how many amps my battery is putting out? The one I got with my car is new but... its some crap *** brand "Valucraft". Maybe I will have to obtain an optima red top from my shop somehow.

Should I order a new starter ($100+ at napa for a refurbished one) or try to just replace the brushes ($3.82 at napa). Is it fairly easy to replace the brushes and is that normally the problem or is it some other component in the starter? I am putting off buying a starter because I dont know if there would be an easier way to fix it.

 

For the battery, you can just drive it to any Autozone/Advance Auto/whatever and have them do a test on the battery. If you want to test the alternator, you can do the same thing but you must remove the alternator from the car first.

I don't think I'd spend 100 bucks on a new starter yet if you're not 100% sure it is the problem. You might get someone on the for sale forums to send you one from a parts car cheap, and if that works then maybe get the new one. Alternatively, you can check the return policy of the store. Perhaps you could go ahead and buy the starter and return it if it isn't the problem.

 

The click, y probably the gear poping out to engage de flywheel

Nothing happens because the starter does not turn

Check the wiring, because ONE wire makes it turn, and another one makes it pop out

 

Would getting a jump start from another car tell me if my battery is the issue? I would think so but more educated opinions are desired here =P

 

they can also test the alternator on the car during the battery test.

 

100 for a starter? i got a lifetime warranteed one from oreilly's fo around 45 minus the core.

 

Almost every single time I've tried to diagnose this sort of problem, it came back to the battery, no matter how many signs said that the battery was good. I'd test with a different battery first (or have AutoZone test it). If that isn't the problem, then move on to connections, then the starter. Maybe the ignition switch, but doubtful.

And I can relate to your push starting...I had to do that all the time with my first MGB when I was a kid. Luckily it was light enough and started easy enough that I could do it myself most of the time.

Rich

 

what kind of batteries do most people use around here? Whats the CCA/CA on them? I have a feeling if its engaging while its running but wont when its off then its just giving out enough juice. Ill test it out at lunch time with a new battery from my shop here. If thats the problem then its time for a new battery and some new cables perhaps.

 

As High a CCA and CA as fill fit. Very important if compression is starting to get low.

 

Well I tried two dfferent optima red tops today at lunch, no chance. Those batteries were rated at 900+CCA *sigh* All it did was make the clunking of the solenoid seem more powerful. Once again I tapped the ignition while it was running after a jump start and I got the "hey im already turned on dumbass" grinding from the flywheel and starter... any ideas?

 

You need a starter, been there done that.

 

but if the gear is being thrown out into the flywheel when its ON then why wont it do it when its not?

 

Two things have to happen,

1. Gear thrown out
2. Gear turning.

I have had starters test good out of the car but they were really bad.


So

Something you can do ( but kind of dangerous) put the car on stands, and use a jumper cable on the starter, should tell you if it is the starter or wiring. Remember OUT of Gear and both ends in the air would be ideal.

 

Remove the starter and get it load tested. If you think its the starter it only takes like 20 minutes. Note while your down there inspect all 3 wires and connectors and clean the starter terminals too.

 

May be the main power wire for the starter since this is the one that gives it power to crank. The other wire with the spade connector is the signal wire for it to pop out and engage the flywheel. I replaced my main starter wire with 4 gauge wire.

 

Sounds like the solenoid is working, moving the gear forward, but the starter motor itself doesn't spin under power. So it clunks but doesn't crank and,when the engine is running, throws the gear out to engage the flywheel and causes the grinding.

 

maybe the teeth on the gear of the starter is worn out, i had a similiar problem with a truck that i had. 91 mitsubishi mighty max (pretty cool light truck in my opinion.) the teeth were worn out so i had to pop the clutch eveytime it died..... you'll have to get a new starter bruh....

 

If you have time you can check the starter at ur house, you have to remove it from the car, and have a battery to power it, you can power it directly from the battery to see if it spins, all you have to do is have to jumper wires one will be connected from battery negative to starter ground, in mine it was just a little male connector that i hat to touch, then the possitive post to the power side of the starter ussually where the nut is to connect the power wire from the car, just make sure you hold it realy tight because if it does spin it will have a strong kick, a friend should help you to do this you jump he grabs. make him do the dangerous stuff!
if the gear does not spin there is your problem new starter if it does not check for other ressistance, short, loose connections etc. etc. etc.
hope this helps

 

My starter in my SA went a few years ago. After having it rebuilt it still wasn't working properly, turned out spending $10 on heavy gauge ground and power wires fixed it right up. The original ones were nasty and corroded inside the wires, didn't look too bad from the outside either.

 

Well I broke down and ordered the starter which I was going to do a week ago but I figured I would try to diagnose it a bit more before I just shotgun fixed it by throwing parts at it and hoping that was the problem. Unfortunately for me I live in a barracks and dont have a plethora of tools available to me and will have to rent some tools and a lift and/or jackstands this weekend to change it out. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

I would just take the starter, alternator and battery to a some sort of autoparts store that has machines to check if there good. Most of the time the starter itself is not the cause; however, the solenoid will go bad from time to time. You might just have to buy that, if they sell it seperate.

good luck.

If none of the above is the cause check your grounds.

 

Well, finally got some time to replace the starter on saturday morning... Starts right up now, no problem. Took me maybe an hour and a half total, thats including the time it took me to get situated in the auto hobby shop, get tools, do it all, and clean up. I was surprised at how easy it was. So much more convienent to have a car that starts on its own Napa charged me 130 bucks for the starter and gave me 30 bucks back for the core when I brought it back in. Not too shabby.

Now to figure out why once I hit third gear it doesnt wanna pull anymore. Through first and second gear the thing pulls like a freakin monster and even out runs my buddies first gen with a full exhaust... until third. I thought I wasnt getting enough fuel pressure because it was stuttering real bad but I adjusted the mixture screw and it still does it and autozone was out of universal fuel pumps... So I guess I am dealing with a shitty ignition system and I am gonna have to research all this DSLIDFASFDAGODDAMNIT stuff and figure out what the hell everyone is talking about.

 

Is it only when you run the gears? Could be a clogged fuel filter.

 

Yes only when I romp on it hard. It pulls fine and dandy through first and second until third then its horrible and stuttery.