Can't Find Gen II starter for my '89

[Marccus]

I can't find a starter at any auto store for my '89. Ford switched to a different type of starter several years ago (10??) where the solenoid is on the starter and you run a wire from the relay on the fender wall to the starter.

Pep Boys, Autozone, Kragen, etc. all only have the ORIGINAL stype fo starter that was on the car when I bought it as listed under the DOHC engine. I've purchased the Gen II starter from them before but now no one lists it as being the one for the '89 SHO. No one believed me at the stores except for a guy at Auto Zone who confirmed that the starter he has listed would not work.

Actually the ORIGINAL starter lasted longer (like 250,000 miles!) than the new designs do. Go figure.

Where can I get the correct starter or do I switch back to the starter and wiring configuration that the car originally had?

 

[Ishodu]

well an 89 is not a gen 2. So I am not sure what the issue is. If you want a gen 1 starter ask for a starter for your 89 and you will get the old style. Ask for a 92+ and you will get a second gen style with the solenoid on the starter.

 

[Marccus]

Perhaps I used the wrong term. By Gen II I mean the new type of starter Ford required for my '89 that was different than the original one that came with the vehicle. The new type required wiring changes and was supposed to be more "powerful".

 

[Marccus]

Ford SWITHCED to a new starter type from the original type on the '89. I didn't know this matched the starter for the other generations.

I've asked for a starter specifically for an '89 and the shops checked other years also. They all come up with the same starter - the solenoid is not on the starter and it looks like the original type that came with the vehicle. I have purchased the starter type Ford switched to from Pep Boys, Autozone, etc. before.

 

[Racer X]

That's the gen 2 starter you're describing; the solenoid is mounted to the starter itself, rather than remotely on the fender wall. If all you're looking is for the newer starter, then ask for one from a 1992 and later SHO 3.0L, or a 1992 - 1995 Taurus 3.8L V6.

 

[Marccus]

OK. Sorry for the confusion ... I've been out of commission for awhile and haven't posted for a LONG time.

I've seem to have forgotton quite a bit and should have realized that I was just looking for a Gen II starter - 92+ in years.