Starter no longer

[greghershner]

It started as an occasional clicking, then a single gunshot, finally machine gun yesterday.
I haven't tried to start it yet, as I was happy just to make it home last night. I looked at Wayne's book and the Bentley manual and I just need confirmation that I would need to detach and lower the transmission to replace the starter? If so this is a 6-icon difficult job for me and I will be seeking professional help! Thanks for everyone's help and comments.

[rusnak]

what? no way.

It's difficult to get to the top barrel nut, which is a large barrel allen nut. But the starter comes right out. I'd replace the allen nuts with a flanged nut and some loctite. Make sure it's not just loose, and clean all of your contacts first, including the battery clamps.

[Zeke]

I think a line mechanic would lower the trans end a little rather than fight it. This only requires removing the shift linkage, which is fairly easy.

My feelings are this: there are a lot of things we can DIY on these cars and some of them are simple, but plain hard, dirty work. The starter is one of those. If you have a good mechanic, this might be the time to step aside and let him do this job on a lift. Last time I changed a starter I said, "This is the last time." And I do a lot of work on cars.

[ramonesfreak]

i have an 83 so im not sure if its the same part but could you estimate how many starts you had from the time the symptom appeared until it died? not even sure if such an estimate would be reliable but i would like to know.... thanks

[DavErb]

Just pulled the starter from my '83 this weekend. Its in being rebuilt now. Make sure you have the right tools first with the 3/8 or 1/2 drive 10mm hex wrench to engage the hex barrel nuts most important. Detatch the battery ground and make absolutly sure it cannot spring back into contact. Jack up rear of car and support securely. Slide in under the car, disconnect the wires (13mm wrench for the positive terminal ,you did disconnect the battery first right?) , undo the lower barrel nut then snake your hands and wrench each side of the trans until you can feel the upper nut. Insert hex and turn out one click at a time. Once out extract the starter through the maze of cables and wires. I had to tap my starter out once the nuts were off saince it was such a tight fit into the bell houseing.

In all the job took about an hour what with having to get from under the car and go find the proper tool. Next time I do it it'll take half that. As other have said its a dirty job with lots of grit and grime falling on you. I absolutely needed abrasive soap to get my hands clean afterwards

[nyne11]

Maybe Stupid............................but have you checked your battery and ground connections?

[greghershner]

Thanks everyone for the help. I am sure I have power as when the key is engaged the ruckus begins. It was approx 6 starts from the first inkling there was a problem to the terminal machine gun sound. I have a rebuilt and tested starter coming ASAP. I already have a need to haul it to the Black Forest Racing shop near Charlotte to get an oil hose fabricated (to replace a leaking one) so I will ask John to replace the starter too.

[john walker's workshop]

87-89 require trans drop, yours doesn't. the "machine gun"clicking is a dead battery.

[xlr8]

I had the same clicky starting problem.
This is the part I replaced- http://www.pelicanparts.com/euro/cgi-bin/smart/imgdsply.cgi?html=Y&pn=91161189900-M260
It cost me $16.25
I found it here- http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_ELchrg_pg1.htm#item5
It only took a few minutes to replace, I didn't get my hands dirty. No jacking, no crawling, no dirt in my eyes.
Check this part for corrosion under the insulation before spending a lot on other parts and labor.
I replaced this part six years ago and my starter still works great!
Good luck!

[3.2 CAB]

+1 with JW and the others. It sounds like a bad connection somewhere, or a low battery.

[greghershner]

thanks everyone, I will dig into the electrical system this weekend. I have power to accessories and no corrosion at the battery terminals. This sounds different than the click, click click of my son's 1976 CJ7 dead battery. This is more of a sustained gear crashing grinding sound. I hope this is connection but to hear it, I imagine the gearing within the starter motor begin destroyed.

[Zeke]

Maybe the clutch ring gear is damaged. Anyway, again good to know that only my years require the drop. When they talk about the electrics, remember there are circuits to consider. One is the yellow? wire to the starter solenoid, the other is the main cable directly from the positive terminal of the battery. You may have power to the solenoid, but a problem with the main cable. At least these are in plain view underneath.

[john walker's workshop]

maybe the ring gear and starter bendix gear are all chewed up then.