No start!! Starter? Fuel Pump? WTF...

[fitefanSHO]

The past few days, my SHO has been taking a little longer to crank over and start and there has been a strange noise to go along with the sound of the cranking itself, something I never heard before. Before this, it would start almost instantly when the key was turned over. It started today (a little slowly as noted above and with that noise) and then after I stopped at a store I turned it off, and when I went to leave, it did not want to start when I turned the key. No crank, just some noise. Then it did start up and I got her home, thankfully she didn't leave me stranded. Tried to restart her at home and of course, she was dead. No crank, lights work fine, fuel apparently at the rail. Full 60K done recently by Kirk. No real driveability issues leading up to this. NO batt or alt light, no codes. Batt is new and alt recently rebuilt. When I turn the key, all I hear is a rather unhealthy sounding grumbling from the back, where before there was a high pitch whine from the back.

Starter?

Fuel Pump?

Feedback and diagnosis welcome. Please help.

 

[hawkeye18]

uhhh.... your starter died. replace it.

Edit: Fuel pumps get whiny when cold. I'd focus on the starter. It's definitely bad. If it still doesn't work right after that, then I'd worry about the fuel pump.

 

[sho2see]

I would start with the starter as welll...did you here like a clicking noise when it didnt want to start?

 

[fitefanSHO]

I waited about 15 mins after making my post, went out to try and start it. It was dead and that grumbling noise from the back was still there, the tach only responding a little. I tested fuel on the rail to see if it was really spurting out good when you tapped the valve, it was. I checked all the fuses, they were all good, pushed em in nice and tight. Monkey'ed ariound with the fuelpump shut off in the truck, not sure if I reset it or not and no reason to believe it would be tripped.

Then...

Tried to start it. Got a weak crank.

Tried again...

She cranked...

Then the fuel pump primed up and she started, although begrudgingly.

And now of course, I'd be afraid to go anywhere too far for fear she'd strand me.

 

[fitefanSHO]

I would start with the starter as welll...did you here like a clicking noise when it didnt want to start?

Like a clicky/grindy noise, almost like it was coming from the steering wheel itself, whatever it was it was coming from the front, close to me

 

[fitefanSHO]

uhhh.... your starter died. replace it.

Where would be the best place to buy the starter and can they be rebuilt?

How much for a new one?

I'd like to buy new but there is a shop down the road that specializes in alt and (I assume) starter rebuilds...

Also, if it is my starter (which I am inclined to believe)... would a failing starter cause a situation like I've described, where the key turns and you hear no prime from the fuel pump? Does the starter have to work in order for the pump to prime? Does this explain why the car just started (a failing starter giving me a few more starts) and I did hear the fuel pump prime?

 

[frosho]

Check yer *** holmes

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

You can find remanufactured starters. Some are decent. Depending on your budget I'd just put in a new one.

 

[fitefanSHO]

What should a new starter for my car (93 ATX) cost and where is the best place to buy it?

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

RockAuto has a few.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Range anywhere between $100-$150

Most of them are remanufactured. Doesn't look like many places carry new ones for our cars anymore.

 

[fitefanSHO]

I think my wife is messin w/ me but she claims in an email to have just gotten me a new starter for Veteran's Day.

She's quick, huh?

Edit: She was kidding.

 

[hawkeye18]

ouch. That's harsh. I have had "ok" luck with AAP starters. I would stay the **** away from AZ starters. If you get it rebuilt by somebody who knows what the **** they're doing (and there is VERY little difference between an alt and a starter), then it should last you a good long while, and it'll prob. be cheaper too.

 

[fitefanSHO]

ouch. That's harsh. I have had "ok" luck with AAP starters. I would stay the **** away from AZ starters. If you get it rebuilt by somebody who knows what the **** they're doing (and there is VERY little difference between an alt and a starter), then it should last you a good long while, and it'll prob. be cheaper too.

The shop near my house specializes in alt and starter rebuilds.

Had my alt in there just a few months ago, and good to go since.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Checked your starter/battery cables lately . . . ?

Go out and try to start it again.

Pop the hood first. If you get anything other than a normal start, check the positive battery cable. If it's warm-to-hot, it indicates either bad cables or a starter that is grounding-out (ie. bad, needs rebuilt).


You do know, that you can take the starter out and have it checked for free at most auto parts stores - right? I'd suggest taking it to either O'Reilly's or Advanced Auto.

I waited about 15 mins after making my post, went out to try and start it. It was dead and that grumbling noise from the back was still there, the tach only responding a little. I tested fuel on the rail to see if it was really spurting out good when you tapped the valve, it was. I checked all the fuses, they were all good, pushed em in nice and tight. Monkey'ed ariound with the fuelpump shut off in the truck, not sure if I reset it or not and no reason to believe it would be tripped.

Then...

Tried to start it. Got a weak crank.

Tried again...

She cranked...

Then the fuel pump primed up and she started, although begrudgingly.

And now of course, I'd be afraid to go anywhere too far for fear she'd strand me.

 

[fitefanSHO]

Today I bought a re-manufactured Starter from that alt/starter shop down the road for $100. To rebuild mine there would have been like $75 and would have required some waiting. Now I have the "new" one and with some help from frosho tonight, hopefully it will get installed tonight and fix this issue.

 

[fitefanSHO]

New starter installed FTW :woo-hoo: