Starter - Solenoid Issues
 

Hey All -

My starter solenoid clearly is having problems. My car will not start about 1 out of 30 times (which is not too bad since I don't drive it nearly enough.)

I can either wait for a bit of time OR tap the solenoid with a screwdriver or hammer.

I am clear that it is time to replace the starter but would prefer not to spend $250 at the moment.

Any alternatives to resolve this issue - at least temporarily? Or do I need to bite the bullet and buy a new starter now.

Examples of non-starting:
- Gas station on NJ turnpike with my 8 year old as a passenger. Got lucky by taping then starting and so on.
- With my car BLOCKING our Honda Pilot in a one way driveway pointing downhill. This was when I discovered the Solenoid tapping did the trick (after 12 hours).

I have a 30 year high school reunion this weekend and don't really feel like climbing under the car when it won't start in the restaurant parking lot!

the usual suspects are:

1) 28 year old Bosch starter. Solenoid can be home-repaired, but most here replace starter with more reliable high torque replacement.

2) Dirty ground straps, located at battery, behind fuel filter, and the all-important strap located at the trans housing. Clean all thoroughly.

3) Many here also install the "hot start relay kit", usually because there is a long electrical "throw" between the battery and starter. The kit costs $25 and is usually an easy and reliable install.

I'd start with the ground straps. If you haven't resolved the problem before your reunion, park your car on a slight decline so you are able to bump start it.

+1 starter can be serviced, you can also see how much life is left on the brushes.

My starter would screech for an instant, after cleaning and lube starts instantly and screech be gone.

Will need to rebuild next year.

Btw, I posted a tutorial on the service.

Here you go

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/592754-starter-maintenance-how.html

Sorry no pics

Take a look at the starter ring thread carnage, the guy has an aftermarket hi torque starter.

Just sayin'.....

That "guy" started out with a stock starter that destroyed a ring gear. The Hi Torque starter is not the problem in that thread.

Please use "Just sayin'....." with some facts.

Scott

I don't think using a hi torque starter is a good idea, still don't.

Pull the old one, check the brushes like Jim suggested and replace the solenoid.

I also think mass produced remans suck.

I guess I'm wrong there too, right? Just sayin'.....

Why don't you like the IMI Hi Torque starters? They are used in scores of applications all over the US in race cars and high performance street cars.

Scott

Any part that comes with an optional shim with no explanation as to whether it is needed or not is not a good design....

I agree totally, the IMI Hi Torque starter is one of the best UPGRADES I have put on my car. The old "hot no start" and solenoid problems are a thing of the past! Most all auto mfrs went from the "field and armature" starters (read:HEAVY) to the more powerful/smaller&lighter permanant magnet starters years ago!

Thanks all - I will check the ground straps and pull the starter out and take a look.

And park on a decline as a backup!

Starter purchase delayed until next year! (Or so I say now.)

Heck, after I serviced my starter, I was predicting a 6 month tour but it has lasted over a year.

I think I have pushed the envelope so next year for sure ;-) ;-)

Just another tid bit for fellow Pelicans...

Recently learned that the origininal "boat anchor" Bosch starters are no longer being made.

Bosch now provides "reconditioned" units that use weaker motors. These units won't last as long as the originals and put out less torque.

If you have one of the old Bosch starters it is a great idea to have it serviced.

Mine recently died after 300,000 miles. Solenoid was sticking. Unfortunately I recycled it before learning it was NLA...

I replaced with a Hi Torque unit.

The old large Bosch units are available NOS from Porsche for over $800.00 retail.

Cooper

Good to know, I'll have it re-built

jcsjcs, don't forget to clean the mounting points for those ground straps. Everything has to be pretty much SPOTLESS.

Had mine rebuilt last year for about $125, easy job for my little local Starter/alternator repair shop guy. Its nothing special at all. Took him a day or two to order a part, he cleaned and painted it also. Works great.

Yeap, mine just need new brushes but I don't have the industrial strength soldering gun needed to insure proper installation of the new brushes, I will leave it to the experts, don't want my hack job to fall apart on me using standard consumer soldering gun.

i prefer to fix things if i can instead of just replacing parts, also, something like the starter or alternator i prefer to keep the original as the newer stuff may not be as good.

go to my post on rebuilding the starter and solenoid.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/631173-solenoid-starter-rebuild-finally.html