Starting problem
09-02-2005, 10:51 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Starting problem
Here's the problem. When I try to start the car the engine cranks and then something seems to let go (for lack of a better explanation) and the tach jumps up I hear a little whine, the engine stops cranking and the car doesn't start. Turn key off and it sometimes happens again or it starts ok. I just replaced the starter a few months ago with a rebuilt one.
I hate the thought of getting stuck and hate when car is not running. Help!!!
I hate the thought of getting stuck and hate when car is not running. Help!!!
Last edited by jeeper31; 09-05-2005 at 07:44 PM.
09-05-2005, 08:51 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Since the engine is rotating, the next things to check are spark and fuel. No spark could be caused by bad ignition rotor/cap, reference sensor, or DME. No fuel could be caused by bad fuel pump, fuel pump relay (known as DME relay on later cars), or reference sensor. clarks garage also has a no-start troubleshooting guide that may be of aid.
09-06-2005, 12:21 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
check your connections on the pos/neg bat terminals and perhaps the starter itself again. I had a problem w/ the ref. sensor plugs getting buggered up and you could wiggle them and it would start fine. How old is your battery?
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09-06-2005, 12:28 AM
#8
Campeck Rulez
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sounds like what you said. starter engages. then the little gear lets go or something. could be grounds. but if it keeps spinning.(still getting power) it might be the starter itself.
09-06-2005, 08:04 PM
#9
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by wizkid918
maybe starter is only engaging for a second before the little gear retracts? and the whine you hear is the gear spinning? not sure
09-06-2005, 11:58 PM
#10
Racer
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Dan, I would say the same as xsboost, check all your grounds and all the connections on the starter, low battery voltage could be the culprit too. If the starter still turns with no engine cranking it is the starter solonoid, which is cheap and easy to replace. If that is the problem take the opportunity to remove and clean the inside of the starter, mine had about a pound of carbon dust inside and the gears needed some grease.
HTH
John
HTH
John
09-07-2005, 12:06 AM
#11
Race Car
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by painkiller
Dan, I would say the same as xsboost, check all your grounds and all the connections on the starter, low battery voltage could be the culprit too. If the starter still turns with no engine cranking it is the starter solonoid, which is cheap and easy to replace. If that is the problem take the opportunity to remove and clean the inside of the starter, mine had about a pound of carbon dust inside and the gears needed some grease.
HTH
John
HTH
John
09-07-2005, 01:05 AM
#12
Racer
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Hey Dan, they may be tight but you need to remove each grounding point (and positive) clean with some abrasive like a sanding sponge or sandpaper, a battery terminal cleaner for the batt posts and apply some dilectric grease to all electrical connections.
Main grounds are inside the batt box(short cable that attaches to the inside of the box) and the top of the bellhousing which is a pia to access. Just follow the cables and you will find them. The positive lead go to the starter and then altrnator. From what you have described the solonoid sounds like the problem. Was it replaced with the starter? If it spins but does not engage the flywheel it is the solonoid which costs $15-20 dollars. It still may be corrosion on the starter attachment points adding resistance which could cause the solonoid not to engage. Clean and grease them, reattach + and - cables and give it a shot.
The copper braided ground from the solonoid to the starter could be causing the problem as well so check it and make sure it is not frayed or corroded.
Let us know what you find.
John
Main grounds are inside the batt box(short cable that attaches to the inside of the box) and the top of the bellhousing which is a pia to access. Just follow the cables and you will find them. The positive lead go to the starter and then altrnator. From what you have described the solonoid sounds like the problem. Was it replaced with the starter? If it spins but does not engage the flywheel it is the solonoid which costs $15-20 dollars. It still may be corrosion on the starter attachment points adding resistance which could cause the solonoid not to engage. Clean and grease them, reattach + and - cables and give it a shot.
The copper braided ground from the solonoid to the starter could be causing the problem as well so check it and make sure it is not frayed or corroded.
Let us know what you find.
John
09-19-2005, 08:46 AM
#13
Race Car
Thread Starter
Did some work on the starter and as usuall broke someint tryin to fix something. I hav now stripped the screw were the ground wire is attached to the solonoid (not the nut). IS this easily fixed? Bringing it back to where I got it to bench test it.
09-19-2005, 07:55 PM
#14
Race Car
Thread Starter
WOW!!!!! something goes my way for a change. I bought starter from a place called Foreign Auto Electric (FAE) which coincidentally is less than a mile from where I work. I brought it in today and placed it gently on the table there and said I don't think this is working right. I also told them that in my efforts to tighten the connections I have stripped the ground connection. He said they will check it out and that I can have it back around noon. I asked if they wanted a contact number and he said just come back after lunch. When I went back they just handed me my starter. Told me the solenoid was bad and they replaced it (that also took care of the stripped connector). NO CHARGE, ZIP, NO DINERO...FREE!!!! It's nice to have something go smoothly for a change.