Brief "Zzzt" from 3.2 starter on cold start.

[Bob Prosser]

Hey all.

Within the last week, the starter on my daily ride, a 1988 Carrera, makes an odd "zzzt" the instant the engine lights. It seems, maybe, the cooler weather here in San Diego is not allowing the Bendix to disengage as quickly as it should.

The cold engine starts instantly on first tap and all other starts during the day are without the sound. It's just that first one when it's stone cold.

Thanks for any personal pointers.

(update: the Bendix got worse, but changing out the starter cured the problem.)

[Paulporsche]

Bob,

I had a thread on this about 3 or 4 weeks ago. The zzzzz apparently was the Bendrix drive not totally engaging/disengaging . You should get this fixed before you ruin the flywheel teeth. Others have said that they cleaned their contacts and the unit worked as before. In my case I had it replaced since it had 172000 mi on it. It can be done w/o dropping the engine.

[Bob Prosser]

Thanks Paul.

I did a search, but I couldn't see it. Can you give me the thread's title?

And when you did the job, would you have rather pulled the engine? I was thinking of paying someone familiar with 3.2s here in San Diego to pull it in his shop, then I'd give it a nice once over.

Best, Bob

[88911coupe]

Hey, my '88 has done the same thing on occasion...had no idea what was causing it.

[scottb]

Is this Paul's thread?

[Bob Prosser]

Thank you Scott. Much appreciated.