Do I need to replace starter?

[JackT]

When I turn the key to start my 911SC, I get a hum from the front of the car and the starter does not turn. Battery is fully charged.
If I need to replace the starter, is it a fairly easy task?

[chuckr]

It is hard to say what is wrong from the brief info you give, I could be starter, mine went out in my 83SC at about 200,000,
I have seen other starters go at 100,000 miles, it is hard to get a lifespan.You can replace the starter in an SC with not too much difficulity, I did mine in about 3 hours, not including clean up, it is a messy job !

[tshih]

For 911's and 914,
starter replacement is not hard if you have access from the bottom (like a lift or after jacking up the rear of the car). The starter can be checked by hooking up a remote hand held switch by clipping the end of one of the two leads to the positive large red wire and directly to the positive post of the battery. By making sure the car is out of gear and brakes on with the rear wheels off the ground (no chance of it jumping off the lifts or safety stands!!!!) you can test the starter by pressing the trigger switch of the remote starter (by- passing any problems with your ignition switch circuit). This handy remote starter can be purchased at any auto parts store for $5.

Should you need to replace the starter, there is only 2 nuts/bolt to remove which bolts it to the gearbox as well as first disconnecting the battery ground (good first step in any electrical repairs involving lot's of CURRENT!) and the electrical leads (make sure you mark them for correct replacement later when you get the rebuilt or new starter. Alan Johnson USA sells a high torque starter for about $400.

Good luck

[Don Cothard]

When my starter went I had no notice, no hum--- nothing---just would not start. I had just bought the car we flew to florida from pa to pick up the car and drive it home had ppi done to make sure the car could make the trip checked out ok. stopped in n.c for the night went for breakfast in am came out to continue our trip and nothing no hum nothing called aaa a gentleman came out in his pick-up (three colors of primer, torn t-shirt and jeans that had seen better days) my point of reference is that when I had to call AAA a nice shinny tow truck and a man in uniform came. So I'm thinking where in trouble now. He asked where the battery and engine were, explained where everything was and he proceeded to jack up the driver side of the car and crawl under the passenger side (must be the way they do thing in nascar) got out his hammer and said try it and I'll hit the starter which I did the car started he said don't stop until you get home but if you do here's the hammer have your wife crawl under the car an wach it. What I learned from this is two things 1) never brake down in nc and 2) never brake down in nc in a porsche.
Don
87390

[JackT]

Is the positive large red wire you are referring to on the starter itself?

[tshih]

Yes there is a 10 gauge (thick) red wire going to the starter from the battery which draws a lot of current which can hurt you if you are not careful. Typically over 50 amps of juice goes to start a car. Which is why you should a wear thick rubber gloves and eye protection when working on the starting system or high voltage ignition systems. Also when disconnecting the starter first disconnect the battery!!

[widebody911]

I replaced mine a while back, and started writing a howto. Never got around to finishing it. After today, I'll have plenty of time on my hands to get these little things done

http://vintagebus.com/howto/starter/