Starter help!

[paul571]

All,
How can you tell if you have a bad starter vs. a bad battery? The past few weeks, it’s taken the car few extra cranks to get the car started. This morning, it won't crank @ all. The battery light still comes on, so I am thinking it might be the starter.

Any help would by greatly appreciate.


Paul
'88 Carrera Coupe

[old_skul]

Batteries fail far more often than starters. My starter has been in service for 17 years now. Batteries fail every three.

[targa80]

THe alternator light doesn't require a whole lot of amps to light but the starter needs an awful lot of amps to turn the flywheel. Try disconnecting the battery and charging it over night. Then reconnect it and see if it cranks over and starts.

[Steve Baker]

By all means check the battery first, then check the ground strap under the car. There is one that goes from the trans mount to the frame. A friend of mine and I removed his engine on his 912, because he thought his starter was just out. He had a new battery already. Well, after the effort to pull the motor ( not as bad as my 88 targa) I had him change out the starter anyway. His ground strap was chewed up and basically shot. He replaced it and it cranked. He did have the starter checked out at a local auto supply and it did turn, but it was almost original. 1968 was the date of remanufacture on it.

[Gunter]

A garage will check your battery under load for free. Go for it.

[paul571]

Thanks all for your insights. I called AAA, had the car started and drove to the shop to have it checked out. It was the battery, get a new one, and all is well.


Thanks again,


Paul

'88 Carrera coupe