Parawhore

I just want to be 100% sure I need a rebuild.

The car has sat for the last four days because it's been rainy and cold and just Canada stuff. Anyways, it was nice out today so I went to take the car out. I turned the key and got about half a crank out of the motor and the starter disengaged. Went to try again and just got a loud "CLICK" and a whine. The battery is fine I checked that.

I tried giving it a few taps with a hammer, nothing. (I had an old Civic that would do this intermittently and after a few taps on the starter it would crank right over)

So I just want to be sure the starter needs a rebuild. I have a spare starter but the terminal posts the wires connect to are broken off.

Chris71383

I would pull it apart and clean it out, mine had a bunch of oil and gunk on the main pilot in the starter and couldn't move quick enough to engage. cleaned it up with some brake cleaner and reassembled and it workes great. You can swap the good coil pack from the starter on the car to your spare starter if that doesn't work, its just bolted on to the starter body.

Parawhore

Thanks I'll give that a shot! The spare started is pretty crusty and crappy but it does work. I might just take it apart give it a good cleaning then swap the starter coils.

The upside is that it's a breeze to remove that starters on these things.

Chris71383

Yes it is, super easy.

william_b_noble

remember to disconnect battery before working on starter or very bad things will almost surely happen.

Parawhore

Haha I thought about leaving the battery connected so I could practice my arc welding!

seafeye

2x 19mm bolts
1 x 13mm for the large wire (might be 15mm)
1 x 8mm for the small wire

15 min including jacking up the car.

Chris71383

Don't need to jack up the car, lay next the drivers door and its within easy reach.

ZR8ED

How is the condition of the battery cables? Old corroded cables will give the same symptoms you describe. If the connections at the battery and starter look bad, I would replace the cables. To get you by, you could try cleaning the connections.
If you suspect the cables, peel back a bit of the sheathing. If it shows corrosion, your cables are likely the culprit.

Parawhore

I replaced all the battery cables when I bought the car in April. Took the starter off and tested it, sure enough the starter would throw the gear out but wouldn't spin, bearings are ceased. Local starter rebuilder whom I have had good experience with said $85 and it would be ready by Friday.

Luckily this is the first NEW problem since I bought the car. Not bad for a 30 year old workhorse.