Alright > Place your bets!

[Silver Bullet]

1993 3.2L (Automatic SHO)

Ok... My wife went out to start the car this morning, and came inside advising me it wouldn't turn over. I attached my "Jump it", and attempted to start the car > Nothing. All it does when I turn the key is I hear a "Click", like the starter is trying to engage. I did the headlight test to see if they would dim when the ignition is turned, and the lights do not dim. I find it hard to believe that my starter, which is my 7th in two years has failed again! It was fine yesterday, and now this happens. Could the headlights work, but the battery hasn't enough juice to turn the car over? I'm puzzled here

 

[SHOv6]

Sry, but as much as i dont wanna tell you this. Everything you say about what it does when trying to start points to "you guessed it" ANOTHER bad starter.

 

[Silver Bullet]

I agree, but there was a part of me that was really hoping for a simple problem for once!

Since the car's on an inclined driveway, I think I'll make it simple and let my SHO run me over :shakehead

 

[SHOv6]

lol, im sorry, I wish I had a better reply for ya. Good luck with the next starter.

 

[benharper]

what brand starter is it (them) and where was it (them) from. might be time to try another company.

 

[n8rsk8r]

I am on my seventh starter right now. Car hasn't been able to move for a year so we will see how long it lasts. Where did you get the starter from? My last was bought at NAPA, I paid around 250.00 for it. I kept the box, that I am sure you have found out you need to do huh? I am sick of changing those @#Y(*&% things out myself, such a (you know what to change). Now where, and under what weather conditions have you had to change the dang thing out in huh? LOL I am sorry to hear that. Mine is a 1993 ATX as well. Has there ever been a bonified reason as to why these keep f-in up? Is it heat? The oil drain plug being right over the starter? I mean, between us all we should be able to figure this out. I dunno. I need to invest in some thermal wrap. Maybe then it will last longer. **** I even changed the damn battery cables out, those by the way are way cheap at 95.00ish from the dealer Good luck my man, and remember,....keep the box


EDIT: was there ANY sign before this? Any time you got in and turned it over and NOT have it start? Out of all the times my starters have failed, they usually give me a warning. I think only once it didn't, I can't remember, been a long year+

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Your problem is most likely due to the starter getting doused in oil every time you change the filter. Some rebuilds using less-than-well-sealed parts (usually made in Taiwan) are especially susceptible to the oil getting inside the works, and creating a high-resistance situation which burns out either the relay in the solenoid or melts the brushes.

If you're covered under warranty, I'd say give it another try, and just be super careful with future oil changes.

If you're not covered under warranty, I recommend trying to find a 100% new starter made by WAI. Most "auto electric" type places carry these, as do some larger independent autoparts stores. The reference you want is Lester 3230 which is the industry common interchange ID for the V6 ATX starter. Should be under $100. In fact, if you search on eBay (including descriptions) for Lester 3230, you should find a few listings.

FWIW, you should double-check how you're connecting the wiring to your starter as sometimes mis-routed wires can cause repeated starter failure as well.

 

[qiksho]

Give the starter a few light taps with a wooden mallet, I have never done this on my SHO, but I remember having to do it on the old 454 chevy at work. For some reason the ?bendix drive? on the starter would stick or misalign and get lodged on the flywheel.

You could also try and turn your accessories via the crank to see if any accessories are froze. It is doubtful, but stranger things have happend.

 

[black93sho]

This happened to me just last week, it was that my battery cables were corroded. I would have everything in my interior work radio, climate control, etc, but when I turned the key it would barely click. Cleaned the battery cables and it started right up. Try cleaning your cables first.

 

[somedude_001]

I did the headlight test to see if they would dim when the ignition is turned, and the lights do not dim.

wouldent that be the starter relay? when the starter goes out it will usually draw a lot of power causing the lights to dim, but they are NOT dimming so I would suspect the starter relay not the starter. right?

 

[pitcrew207]

1993 3.2L (Automatic SHO)

Ok... My wife went out to start the car this morning, and came inside advising me it wouldn't turn over. I attached my "Jump it", and attempted to start the car > Nothing. All it does when I turn the key is I hear a "Click", like the starter is trying to engage. I did the headlight test to see if they would dim when the ignition is turned, and the lights do not dim. I find it hard to believe that my starter, which is my 7th in two years has failed again! It was fine yesterday, and now this happens. Could the headlights work, but the battery hasn't enough juice to turn the car over? I'm puzzled here

you know whats funny*its the starter* mine sho stranded me on Valentines day what do you know the STARTER was bad!! I guess shos starter all break at once hahaha

 

[Mr Anonymous]

wouldent that be the starter relay? when the starter goes out it will usually draw a lot of power causing the lights to dim, but they are NOT dimming so I would suspect the starter relay not the starter. right?

On the Gen II SHO's, the starter relay is integrated with the solenoid mounted to the starter. While replaceable individually, it's usually about a $40 part and even more labor than a starter swap. The clicking is the solenoid engaging the starter drive (no more Bendix) to the flywheel/flexplate ring gear, but either the relay in the solenoid isn't powering the brushes, or the brushes are inoperative either due to a short, damage, or having been fused to the armature.

 

[Silver Bullet]

It's a "Delco" starter. I remember asking my mechanic after he replaced it three times in a row. He kept using the same brand, because it was under warranty. I specifically attempted to halt oil dripping onto the starter by placing a plastic bag over it each time I changed the oil, but some may have leaked down and still got into it. I agree with the person that said that with all the brain power on this forum surely we can come up with decent cover or something to prevent this from happening over and over again. I'd buy one if someone was selling one!!!! This is totally un-acceptable and un-necessary $$ waste.

Who's the genious that placed the starter under the oil filter anyway?

 

[1slickRED89]

before I put the engine back in my ATX, I am going to swap out the starter. the one that came on it is covered with oil, but the engine did start.

I have a remote filter and cooler so I don't have to worry about oil dripping on it. but I am still worried about road salt, water and radiant heat from the exhaust. I was going to **** two birds with one stone by making a aluminum shell around it made from old printing plates. have it sealed on the passenger side and extend it over to the tranny use the mounting bolts to hold it on. then just put a few small holes in the bottom to let any water drip out.

I think the reason that SHO started wear out is that they might have designed them for a smaller car and then just used the same starter on bigger cars to save cash. for example the tempo has the same exact starter as the 93+ taurus (except it's a three bolt mount instead of two) also the F-150 starters are similar but have a diffrent housing on the front and i'm sure there are more.