Starter???

924Sman · 12-03-2007, 11:41 AM

A couple days ago I tried to start the car and got nothing but sound from the FP. I noticed the neg term was a bit loose, dealt with that and fired up but now the same no click or anything but the FP heard. I have never had this happen so I have to ask if the starter still is the issue? Usually I get a click or whine of the bendix when bad but not this time. I will have to admit this is the OE starter!! so I imagine it is the problem.

Just a condition I never faced b4......tia!

Dal

John_AZ · 12-03-2007, 12:51 PM

924Sman,

Sounds more like a low charged battery or in need of a voltage regulator. You had a loose negative batt cable and may not have been getting a full charge.
Some members also change the cables when old due to increases resistance.

BTW-thanks for the advice on batt booster issue. Went to PEP Boys and got group 41 Bosch, 3year free replacement for $79 ($89 minus $10 rebate).
Good luck.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

rmcdonnell · 12-03-2007, 02:09 PM

I had an earth cable that was absolutely mechanically sound, and cleaned at both terminals, but it was internal oxidised corrosion holding it very firmly together in the crimped end. It gave me an intermittent start problem.

I work in electronics and it looked so good, and so impossibly unlikely as a culprit, it took me three days of messing around with other "possibilities" before I checked it properly from end to end with a DVM, and was staggered to find the earth cable was high resistance between one end and the other. It was impossible to believe that a cable that thick, in apparently good condition, and mechanically sound could possibly be completley duff, but don't believe your eyes, use a meter

I suggest you replace it, (mine was less than $7 in your money) or just borrow a good one off another vehicle to make absolutely sure this ain't your problemo.

cheers
Russell

rmcdonnell · 12-03-2007, 02:19 PM

Another horrid thought that John touches on: if your neg cable comes loose, then the alternator diodes and regulator can be blown up by the load dump: several hundred amps try to find a path to ground in a fraction of a second, and the most expensive parts always die to save the integrity of the fuse

I hope this is not the problem
R.

924Sman · 03:31 PM

Good deal John, now go rip some rubber!

My ground is new plus an additional ground (battery to bellhousing) my + is old though. Still not going to rule out the negative cables so I will give them a second look. The battery is suspect too so I have that on the to buy list anyway but tough to get that and a new starter at the same time so I am trying to solve one then move to the other in case one is good. Made that mistake on my head, bought new valves etc, then come to find the issue was the HG. I was certain I bent a couple but got lucky with only a couple inner springs breaking.

I am thrilled that mistake did pay off, new head for the most part= power! I had to rebuild my starter last year, cracked the plastic housing over the armature, used super glue! It worked great, perhaps it finally to the dive and it is OE, that's 20 y.o. starter, amazing huh!!

Never considered the VR, that on the alternator?.....I am at a loss when it comes to electrics, I only know not to stick my finger into a socket.

... The reason I ? the starter is it is OE and repaired and when doing my topend work I left it hanging and I do think it got wet, perhaps frozen up now. But since the bat/starter are old as dirt I feel I should just get both replaced and get some laptime in.

I did charge the cell but that does not mean much. Alt did check out ok however.

Well hope Santa has few needed goodies for me this Xmas.

Thanks for all the input! Gold stars for y'all.

Dal

John_AZ · 04:48 PM

924Sman,

To physically look at the VR, remove the air filter assembly and look down at the alternator. The VR is held in place with 2 small screws. Remove and see if the brushes are at least 5/16 inch. Replace if too short.
Russell may prefer the title "Father Christmas" to Santa. I picked up the clues when he said "cheers". Russell, tomorrow they light the tree in Trafalgar Square! Been there many times.

Good luck Dal and you were real lucky the the head.

John_AZ