Starter Trouble

Aufgeladen944 · 03-21-2007, 06:46 PM

My car seems to run just fine.

However, every 10th time or so, when I go to start the car, it's a no-go. I get the accessories fine, I get the radio fine, I get power windows and lights and all that stuff, but the engine won't turn over. I get nothing, no buzzes, no grinding, just the fans (I think...) if I wait a while. Tonight, I was there for an hour and eventually, out of the blue, it started. It was a little hesitant, but it did start. I didn't do anything, I didn't adjust anything, it just started after turning the key probably like 100 times lol.

Am I right in assuming this is a starter problem? I heard sometimes there can be a "dead spot" in the starter, and it just depends on where it lands as far as starting up the next time (or not!).

Pelican sells the rebuilt one for 147. There's a core charge of 60. Does that mean the total price will be ~210, and then I get the 60 back later?

I saw there is a write up on the 914's starter, and Pelican directed me towards it (but it said 944?). IS THERE a write-up on it?

Oh, and to make matters worse, my daily driver/school/winter beast was totaled by a speeder over the weekend. I'm royally fukced.

Thanks in advance for sympathy or help. Or both...

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

What year? Could be the ignition switch if it does not crank at all or if it cranks and does not fire. Cheaper than a starter.

Aufgeladen944 · 03-21-2007, 08:06 PM

It's an 86 with a 88 Turbo S engine and running gear. I think all the starters and things like that are from the 86, though. 96k on the 86 body and such, and 19k on the 88 running gear.

I'm not getting a crank. Just dead. Nada. Nothing.

Eldorado · 03-21-2007, 08:11 PM

put a volt meter on the starter, and turn the key... no volts = ignition switch problem...
that'd be my bet.

you could get the original porsche one, or you could get one for (i believe) a 73 beetle - they're identical, and the beetle switch only costs about $15.

Aufgeladen944 · 03-21-2007, 08:23 PM

Sweet is that easy to put in? The ignition switch I mean...

And does anybody have a picture of where the starter is? Because I was looking for it and I couldn't find it. It was also dark outside at my school where I was stranded, though.

Thanks!

Eldorado · 03-21-2007, 08:27 PM

what car do you have?

the switch is easy to put in..

the starter is located near the middle of the car, under neath, right behind the front wheels.

Aufgeladen944 · 03-21-2007, 08:31 PM

So I wouldn't be able to access without getting the car up on a jack? Because my friends old Audi's starter would misbehave, and sometimes punishing it with some small blows with a hammer would coax it into starting.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

IF it's a manual...push start it to get it home, then put it up on jack stands or ramps. Sounds more like a dirty battery cable connection or ground to me. Think about it...if it were a dead spot in the starter and the starter stopped there..since it was at a dead spot, then it wouldn't crank even on the 100th try. It's a bad connection somewhere and you have to find out where. Get a volt meter. Put it on the battery and measure the volts. Next put the volt meter on the big post of the starter..should read about the same as the battery. Next put the positive side of the volt meter on the small wire of the starter and have someone try to crank it. If you are not getting battery voltage there, then it's probably the switch key...if you are, then you need to change the starter. If you need a starter and you need it fast, there are many parts places that carry that starter so you may be able to get it at your local auto parts place to save some time. I bought one at O'Reillys once.

Aufgeladen944 · 03-21-2007, 10:45 PM

Push starting sucks. I live on a hill though, so worst case scenario...

By switch key, do you mean the ignition switch mentioned earlier?

Thanks for the advice though.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I would clean the battery terminals as Tom asks. If you have an after market connector on the positive terminal -- clamps the large cable rather than solders to it -- You need to replace the whole cable with the soldered one. The large cable is just for the load the starter draws; close to or over 200 amps. One of the connectors around the brake booster has the starter solenoid wire going through it. You can use a jumper from the battery to this connector and trigger the starter.

Eldorado · 03-21-2007, 11:35 PM

living on a hill makes push starting a breeze. just let it roll down the hill and punch it..
they even start in R....

I've push started my car in a crowded gas station... and on the narrow shoulder of a major highway during rush hour once, when my ignition switch was flaking out... I got to be very good at it :P