gmrulz4u Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 I'm 99% sure that I need a New starter, even my mechanic said so when he heard it, but I want to double check with you guys. For a while now, the engine won't turn-over when I FIRST try to start the car after it's been shut-off, but ALWAYS works the second time. On the first try, it will just make a "vroooooom" sound but not turn-over and start. So I just turn the key back, and then turn it to "Start" again and it will always work(so far at least!). The only thing that has me confused is that it's been doing this since LAST winter!! I know I know, I should have it looked at before, but I thought it was going to go away with warmer weather, which it pretty much did. In the spring and summer, it seems like it's not AS bad as in the winter. In the winter mornings, I pretty much know for SURE that it won't turn-over on the 1st attempt, in the summer, there's about a 50-50 chance that it won't on the 1st try. So, IS this the Starter for sure?? My mechanic said something like the "teeth" are worn and that it's not cranking the fly wheel enough or something??!! THANKS AGAIN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Yeah, if the starter is not fully engaging on some starts, the gears to the flywheel are wearing down. From what you've posted, discussed with your mechanic, and the like, I too believe it's an old starter. - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrulz4u Posted December 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Thanks for the reply! So, just what exactly is that HORRIBLE sound? Is it just the sound of the flywheel spinning but not quickly enough or something?? Also, do I just replace the Starter Solenoid or the entire Starter Motor?? THANKS AGAIN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrulz4u Posted December 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 And, oh yeah, one more thing: Am I hurting anything by having it like this for a year now? Can I start to wear-out the Flywheel as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGPilot Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Sounds like the starter motor is working, but the solenoid that pulls the starter motor gear to the flywheel is hanging up on the way. If most of the time your car will crank on the second try then the starter gear is hanging along the way and the solenoid is taking two or three tries to get the gear to the flywheel. You will be in for a load of money repair cost if you don't get this fixed soon and you break off teeth on your flywheel. The tranny needs to be dropped or the motor pulled to replace the flywheel and usually flywheels are not cheap either. :shock: Go get a remanufactured starter from NAPA or the like and save yourself alot of hassle in the near future. You can just replace the solenoid on most GM starters, but for the cost a new or remanufactured starter would be a better option in my opinion... 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 If it's just a "vrooom" sound with no grinding or metal-on-metal, I think it's just a bad solenoid which has a little fork that kicks out the starter gear so that it contacts the flywheel. It should be no surprise that I've had this problem too!!! On the '88 though. I had to change it in 20-degree snowy weather. Although I had a garage to work in, it was a tiny garage so I had to park the car half outside with dirty snow water dripping all over because the car had been driven in the snow that day. Anyway, it won't hurt the flywheel unless you hear a scraping sound. You've probably heard the sound I'm talking about ... it's the sound the starter makes when someone cranks the starter when the car is already running. If your car ever makes that sound, I would change the starter ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Dubya Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Before you go replacing things try disconnecting everything and cleaning the contacts for the grounds. I've had this problem, and being intermittent like that it could just be electrical. It might not be getting the full charge in order for the solenoid to kick out and turn it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Before you go replacing things try disconnecting everything and cleaning the contacts for the grounds. I've had this problem, and being intermittent like that it could just be electrical. It might not be getting the full charge in order for the solenoid to kick out and turn it over. w3rd after that if it still does that pay the extra money for a lifetime warrenty!! and file the recept incase it does go out again (lets hope it does not do that for a long time) but you wont be out money for another starter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrulz4u Posted December 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 OK great, thanks guys! If I do have to replace the starter itself, how much should I be looking at? If I understand correctly, it's extremely simple to replace. I think there's just like 1 or 2 bolts that hold the Starter assembly in place, correct?? My mechanic quoted me $160 CDN(about $120 US) for a New(rebuilt) Starter. Is that reasonable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 I think I paid only $50 for mine from O'Reilly Auto Parts. Lifetime Warranty. Had to replace it once under warranty though, for the problem you're describing. Hah! I wish it were "extremely simple" to replace! I've done worse jobs, but that 25lb starter is a bitch to hold upside-down. There's also an annoying brace on the AC compressor that's in the way. Both times I replaced it, I used different techniques. Unfortunately, I didn't document the easier technique, but I remember one of the times I loosened the bracket which if I remember right, was tedious to loosen due to limited room to move a wrench. Another time, I remember pulling the oil pressure sensor and oil filter. I don't remember if that was effective or not. I remember having to try several different ways to get the new starter in around all the obstacles and then struggling with getting it oriented correctly... all while laying upside-down and the 25lb starter started feeling like it weighs 2-tons. Oh yeah, I also could only get 1 hand in there, so it's not like you can use your other hand to help move it around up there either. I'm pretty wimpy and couldn't hardly hold my 7lb home theater projector up to the ceiling very long either. If you're stronger than I am, it should be a lot easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilloon Posted December 3, 2003 Report Share Posted December 3, 2003 dude, its way easier then that. just loosen the two bolts, take the wires off, you'll have to move the AC line out of the way-its run along the front of the subframe. you should be able to finaggle it out the front between the front of the subframe and the lower core support. i did mine in about 20 minutes. and they only weigh about 8-10 pouonds. its really not that hard. just make sure you disconnect the battery before you do all this. it may help you to loosen the two subframe bolts--18mm. only about an inch tho, you dont wnat that comoing down on you. i believe the starter bolts are 15mm. just replace it. i payed 65 for mine at autozone. lifetime warrenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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