sluggish starter?

[sho'd]

well i have never been around that many sho's other than my own, and i find that the starter seems to be sluggish, and even more so when the engine is hot, anyone else experience this, is my starter on it's way out? battery is good, 6 cell gel battery, and alt is good as well. thanks.

 

[Bizzy]

When the started died in my 93, the first time I noticed a problem it just sounded like the battery was going low. S-l-o-w, sluggish start. The next time I tried to start the car it did nothing, didn't even try.

It's about 10 minutes to pull it, why not do that and take it down to an auto parts store and have them test it.

 

[n8rsk8r]

:cry: oh the horror! :cry: I HATE 3.2 starters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :grrr: :banghd:

 

[Bizzy]

Oh common Nate, they're not THAT bad are they? Seriously, I had mine out in 10 minutes start to finish.

 

[SHOtimer]

I replaced my factor starter when it started to start the car slowly. After buying my stater from Autozone with the lifetime warranty (keep the recipt you will need it) - I have changed out 5 starters in my SHO, 4 of those in the first 2 weeks of having the AZ starter. They would last about two days, then start to go out. I would know how many starts I had left by the speed that it started the car. The one I have in there now has lasted several years - I've been surprised.

I can swap a starter in my car in less than 10 minutes - I know the exact size sockets and tools to use.

But, yes - slow starting once hot is a sign it is getting tired.

Doug

 

[n8rsk8r]

Oh common Nate, they're not THAT bad are they? Seriously, I had mine out in 10 minutes start to finish.

Well Beth when they fail at times where you are... in front of a convince store, go pick up dinner and are stuck... I can't remember the other four times. I have had 7 in my 93. I am on my seventh... so yeah they do suck, to this date, besides my transmission, this is my most hated part of the sho.

I think heat and oil from changing the oil has something to do with it, but I lean toward heat being the culprit. I have watched them evolve.. the starters, there has been three revisions that I know of. I HATE THEM!!:deadhorse:

 

[sho'd]

ok thanks for all your input people. looks like it's time to get a new starter. ahh the fun and love never ends, my car loves me, lol.

 

[Bizzy]

Well Beth when they fail at times where you are... in front of a convince store, go pick up dinner and are stuck... I can't remember the other four times. I have had 7 in my 93. I am on my seventh... so yeah they do suck, to this date, besides my transmission, this is my most hated part of the sho.

I think heat and oil from changing the oil has something to do with it, but I lean toward heat being the culprit. I have watched them evolve.. the starters, there has been three revisions that I know of. I HATE THEM!!:deadhorse:

Ahh, that makes more sense now. It's not the job of replacing one that you hate, it's the fact that you've found replacement units to be inconveniently unreliable. On that aspect I shall not comment lest I jinx mine. :angelnot:

 

[shocar]

have the battery tested and if it is ok, replace the starter. I just had the same issue, it would sometimes work fine but more and more it would just slowly engage like the battery was going out. especially when hot. Tested the battery and it was fine. I replaced the starter and all is well.

 

[SHOtimer]

I think heat and oil from changing the oil has something to do with it, but I lean toward heat being the culprit. I have watched them evolve.. the starters, there has been three revisions that I know of. I HATE THEM!!:deadhorse:

I have gone through the same headache...I however think that the oil has very little to do with it. My OEM started lasted with oil being poured on it for 8 years and 140k. The problem is the poor quality of the rebuilds. Once I got a good one in there (it has been there for about 60k) it gets oil poured on it every 3k and it works just fine. They just rebuild them so cheap.

Doug

 

[n8rsk8r]

I have a Napa in there now, actually this is the second Napa unit. But yes, I think it is the crappy quality of the rebuilds... I am going to put one of those silver heat wraps on it when I get her going again. I want to see if this has anything to do with premature failure.

Beth... **** I have gotten pretty good at swapping em out! LOL yeah 10 min is bout all there is to it... worst part was when you used to have to crimp the lil wire while holding the starter up WHILE squeezing yourself under the car (head sideways and all). Not a fun job when 1. you are doing it in the rain 2. there is a sprinkler on flooding the area you are working 3. it is in a parking spot were the last car has decided to loose the contents of it's oil pan....

Exchanging the starter when it has gone out is fun also. THEY ALWAYS SAY IT IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR, and not their remaned parts :grrr:

 

['94SHO]

Try finding a local starter/alt. rebuilder. Make sure he is old as dirt and stinky.
Those old guys really know their stuff, and can even change the windings to
your specs. I would tell them to build it so that you won't have to take it out again in 6 months.. They might take it as a challenge.. Just a suggestion.

 

[93rev2sev]

I just replaced my starter yesterday. It started to crank the engine slowly last tuesday. Saturday(yesterday) morning, It died completely.

I had the old one out in about 15 minutes. But, because SHOBill came over, I spent most of the day working on the SHO. He's like a repair-bot.

We repaired some residual radiator core support crash damage from 3 years ago, installed a fresh hood, replaced oil cooler to block gasket.

All in all it was a good day.

Thanks for the help bill!

 

[Ishodu]

You rebuilt a ATX tranny why not rebuild your starter? I did mine a few years ago. New drive, brushes, bushings and silinoid for around 50 dollars.

 

[bittertech]

Heh... I had problems with slow starts for going on 5 years...

I'm currently pulling the engine for some major maintenence, and I found out that my when my father pulled the engine 5 years ago, the negative ground was never connected ( ). It was pulling it all thru the fuseable link.

So yeah.. check your grounds while you're at it.

 

[sho'd]

You rebuilt a ATX tranny why not rebuild your starter? I did mine a few years ago. New drive, brushes, bushings and silinoid for around 50 dollars.

lmao, you have a point, i guess i should call up the locat rebuilder and order some parts.

 

[93rev2sev]

Not only that, but if the starter has not yet died, you can maybe take it apart and clean things off really well to restore performance.

I took apart the starter that died on me last weekend. The rotor, brushes, and everything else was COVERED in oil. Super sticky nasty oil coated everything from the brushes to the rotor. I cleaned everything off really well and now the starter works great.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Where did you get your rebuild parts? My bendix (starter drive) may be going, and I spent this morning trying to get one for my '95 MTX, to no avail.

You rebuilt a ATX tranny why not rebuild your starter? I did mine a few years ago. New drive, brushes, bushings and silinoid for around 50 dollars.

 

[Ishodu]

Where did you get your rebuild parts? My bendix (starter drive) may be going, and I spent this morning trying to get one for my '95 MTX, to no avail.

From a local rebuilder.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Thanks! Did your kit only include the items (pictured) below, or were brushes also included?


I found the part online thru CSK parts stores (Checkers/Schucks/Kragen/Murray's) have the kit (Victory Lap FDS 03 - $27.99):

​

Of course, AutoZone has dropped the kit, and the closest two CSK stores are in northern Indiana, and El Paso Texas . . . .


Figures, since I was stuck in Michigan two weeks ago . . . . :banghd:

. . . 3 miles from a Murray's Auto Store that I had to go to a half-dozen times for parts and tools ​