Starter going south?

89911 · 07-06-2003, 08:26 AM

I am pretty sure I have a bad starter. Symptons are no engine turnover when the ignition is keyed. But, it does eventually start when the key is turned over 6-12 times. Yesterday, I drove it all day and it started every time. This morning, it started right up. I restarted it a few times until it would not turnover with the ignition. After several rekeyings, it then started again. I have heard about these symptoms before and I just want to check against any other faults before replacing. I already have a high torque one to install. Any tips on doing these on a G50 3.2? The car has 67K. Oh yeah, and my sunroof won't open. I recently had the car in shop chasing a bad electrical connection, (distributer cap had a short). I guess bad things really do happen in three's

Neilk · 07-06-2003, 08:35 AM

try jump starting the car. Maybe the battery is on it's way out.

350HP930 · 07-06-2003, 08:51 AM

Make sure that your terminals are clean and tight too.

I have seen this happen a lot when the corrosion between the terminal and connector allows enough current to pass for accessories and the such, but is hit and miss on passing the full cranking amps.

If all of your wiring is good then your starter is probably on its way out.

89911 · 07-06-2003, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neilk
try jump starting the car. Maybe the battery is on it's way out.

It has a 2 year old Optima battery thats been trickle charged so I don't think thats the problem.

masraum · 07-06-2003, 11:49 AM

On the times that it doesn't start does it turn over some, or nothing. It could be the ignition switch, or it could be the starter if the unsuccessful key turns don't result in anything happening.

89911 · 07-06-2003, 11:55 AM

Thats what I'm trying to rule out. When it doesn't turn over, you can hear power going to the car and accessories (fuel pump, lights, etc.) and there is a clicking. The only odd thing is why it eventually starts after turning the key so many times. I thought once a starter was bad and you hit a "dead spot" on the solenoid, you could'nt get it to turn over. Thanks for the help so far.

xlr8 · 07-06-2003, 12:22 PM

Last September I had an intermittent starting problem with similar symptoms. I had power to the dash lights, but the starter would not engage. The first time happened after driving for several hours, then stopping for fuel. We got started by rolling the car and popping the clutch. We had to do this for several days. Each time we would try the starter, then resort to the rolling start. Then it began working again and worked normally for several days. Then once again it would not crank after a long drive and a stop for fuel. The problem was the battery negative cable. The terminal connection itself was clean but the cable strands were corroded. This can be hard to see with a casual glance, but I had removed the cable to check for a clean connection where the cable attaches to the body. When I got it out of the car and into the light it looked like a piece of green rope. Each individual strand allowed light current to pass, but the corrosion prevented the strands from working together to pass the heavy current required to close the solinoid and turn the starter. The resistance of running current through a corroded connection caused heat which caused more resistance. After cleaning and reinstalling the cable, the car started perfectly and has not been a problem since.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Ignition switch may be the culprit.....

BUT, next time it does not start...take a BFH and smack the starter. If that does not do it, try jumping the leads with a WELL insulated screwdriver. Temporary bandaid to get it started but can save you being stranded.