Third starter in a year

[SHOtimer]

My orginal starter went out in Aug. 2002. So I shopped around and decided to get the Duralast from AZ with a lifetime warranty. Well, about 5 months ago that one went out. I was rather ****** because starters shouldn't go out like that. Now, that one just went out and I put a new one on. Now, I haven't paid a cent, except for the original purchase, but I am not enjoying changing a starter every 5-6 months. ( I can do it in 15 min). The failure symptoms I notice are my engine starts to not crank as fast and the starter starts loosing power at that point when I notice that I have about 1-2 days left and it is toast. Is there something the matter with my car or are these AZ Duralast starters just a piece of crap? Thanx,
Doug

 

[93redATX]

That sucks. Replacing the starter isn't really a big deal (I've only replaced mine once so far, knock on wood), but it's the point of doing it. When you change your oil, is a lot of oil spilling onto the starter from the filter? I've thought many times about getting a shield made up for the oil filter, and I know a lot of people would be interested in it.

BTW, I have a Duralast starter on my car, and I replaced it a little over a year ago, and it still works fine.

 

[SHO--ripper]

First off how's your flywheel? Are you missing teeth?

 

[SW SHO]

When mine went the first time I got one from NAPA with lifetime replacement. So that makes 2 starters in 4 years.

It might be a learn to get used to it deal, but 5-6 months seems quick for a starter to go. Sorry to hear your getting the starter quick change training.

 

[SLOSHO89]

Sometimes the starter isnt going bad, its a battery that is low. A new starter takes less current to spin, as they get a bit older they require more. Check oyur battery it may be a problem, also check the cables as they may be corroded.

 

[SHOtimer]

My flywheel is fine. My battery cable assembly is brand new and all contacts are clean and crisp. My battery is also rather new, within a year. I figured that it was the fact that these starters just arn't rebuilt very well. I have no electrical/charging issues other than that. I've had the new battery tested and it is fine. When the starter fails, it just wont' crank the engine all lights/bells and whistles go off even when holding the key to crank when the starter won't. That is what leads me to believe my electrical system is fine and the starter is my prob. Thanx, for the responses.
Doug

<small>[ October 04, 2003, 08:59 PM: Message edited by: SHOtimer ]</small>

 

[Yamaha V6]

If they're not junk, perhaps some aftermarket reman'd units are more susceptible to shorting after changing the oil than others. Dunno, never used the AZ units; I know their batteries are crapola though.