gerry100

'86 3.2 Carrera , 122k miles

Been chasing an intermittent start problem for a while and am at the point where I'm looking at replacing the starter.

Research on the web shows prices from $100 to $600 (oem, new)

Rebuilt seems a reasonable way to go, but I need some recommendations on best suppliers, pitfalls etc...

Thanks in advance for inputs

Amber Gramps

Are you sure it's the starter? What are the symptoms?

gerry100

intermittent click/hum . Otherwise she spins and fires right up.

Battery good, new electrical portion of ignition, most grounds cleaned.

Next step is to get under car and clean tranny end of ground strap and clean starter connections. I've heard the loss of conductivity of black wire ( pos battery to starter) could be an issue.

If that doesn't work, I'm thinking starter.

Amber Gramps

Any chance it happens more when the starter is already hot? It could be heat soaked.

gerry100

last time it happened it was on hot pavement after a 15 mile run, turned and started after multiple tries and about a 1/2 hr.

However - it's done this after 2 weeks sitting recently

theiceman

yeah its the starter if all the grounds and battery connections are oky..
i have heard horror stories about remans ..
i would take mine to a shop and have it rebuilt personally..

fialing that go for one of those after market high torque starters

wwest

"Click" is the starter solenoid "kicking" the bendix drive into engagement.

"Hum" is HIGH current flow into the start motor. Brushes are good so there are only 2 possible causes. 1.) A hydro-locked cylinder, or something of the like that requires more torque than the starter can produce. 2.) a shorted commutator segment.

Assuming its a stick...

Next time it just "click/hums" persistently, put it in 3rd, engage the starter, have someone "bump" the car forward. Driver needs to be prepared for QUICK action!

If the car starts then you have a commutator segment shorted.

gerry100

wwest - good stuff. Thanks.

I'll also heard that an old "black" wire can lose enough conductivity to effect this?

wwest

"lose enough" Wouldn't likely be intermittent, but connections might.

gerry100

good point

Jonathon Rolstin

I had a cracked solenoid cover which allowed the contacts to not close intermittently.. same symptoms.

Getting it rebuilt is the way to go.

JR

Ed Hughes

Don't rebuild-I did that once at what was alleged to be "the shop" in DFW. Lasted 18mos.

Go with the high-torque starter. All new, turns over a bit quicker and saves a few lbs. For not much more than a rebuild.

gerry100

does Bosch actually rebuild starters? Adverts from various parts outlets seem to imply this.

If Bosch actually does this it seems this would be a credible source.

Comments

Ed Hughes

I've know two that have bought Bosch rebuilt, only to have them go south in a couple of years. Keep in mind, this is the same Bosch with the wonderful silver ignition coils. Far from infallible.

theiceman

Bosch rebuilds are brutally unreliable.