Starter problem??

[subaroo808]

I just got my 96 leg. back everything seemed fine until. yesterday evening I turned the key and nothing I thought at first dead/low batt. but it is fine. I have power going to the starter but it does not sound like the starter is doing anything when you turn the key.

 

I am planning to pull the starter a little later when it stops raining.

 

Is there any kind of fuse or relay that controls the starter that possibly has gone bad. or maybe just the starter itself??

 

 

 

Jason

[Olnick]

First thing I'd check is the copper contacts inside the starter. They arc and pit after years of use. It's a cheap and relatively easy fix.

 

Try a search--problem has been discussed a lot here.

 

Aloha neighbor. Good luck and post back if you have any problem finding the contacts.

[subaroo808]

First thing I'd check is the copper contacts inside the starter. They arc and pit after years of use. It's a cheap and relatively easy fix.

 

Try a search--problem has been discussed a lot here.

 

Aloha neighbor. Good luck and post back if you have any problem finding the contacts.

 

 

Thank you Ill try that before I put another one in.

 

 

Mahalo nui loa,

 

à hui hou -Jason

[johnceggleston]

Thank you Ill try that before I put another one in.

 

 

Mahalo nui loa,

 

à hui hou -Jason

 

i replaced my starter with one i had from a donor car and it did the same thing. apparently my problem was that not enough juice was getting to the starter thru the ingnition relay, so i added another relay at the starterwith a new hot lead from the battery. i used the wire from the ignition to activate the new relay. a search should produce directions and diagram.

 

mine has worked like a dream. hasn't missed once since the fix. relay, fused lead, wire and fittings 15$ max, labor 30 minutes.

[JPX]

First thing I'd check is the copper contacts inside the starter. They arc and pit after years of use. It's a cheap and relatively easy fix.

 

Bingo - this is exactly what I was thinking too.

 

 

Unfortunately, I had already condemned the battery. It was 6 years old but seemed to be fine. But when the starter was having trouble, I assumed it was the battery and replaced it.

 

I almost threw my starter away when it clicked, but did not turn. I figured the windings and the motor were probably fine. So the solenoid contacts were my next hunch.....fortunately the contacts were cheap to replace and I didn't have to throw away the starter at all!

 

If only I had checked the contacts BEFORE chucking the battery....

 

This (at 89,000 miles)

 

Plus This (replacement contacts at $7)

 

Plus 51,000 more miles equals this (at 140,000 miles):

 

The contacts get worn out over time - more so if you start and stop the car a lot (commute, pizza delivery, multiple troubleshooting starts).

 

You absolutely must check these contacts out BEFORE condemming the entire starter.

[subaroo808]

Well I switched starters and it fired right up. I have not taken the old one apart yet to check it out. I just needed to get the thing going so I can get back and forth to work. I just have to add that starter to the list of things to fix

when I go to put my 90 back together.

 

Thank you guys for your help..

 

Jason