Starter problems?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Ohio
Starter problems?
I have a question,
I have what seems to be a developing problem with my starter on my '91 C2 cab.
It cranks and starts fine first start of the day every time, but sometimes when it is warmed up I have this issue. While cranking, just before the motor starts it will suddenly stop as if I released the key. I will then crank again and it will be fine, starting the engine. Does not do it all the time, but maybe once out of three or four warm starts. Is this a classic sign that it is going bad? Can it be replaced with the engine in the car?
Thanks in advance for your input.
I have what seems to be a developing problem with my starter on my '91 C2 cab.
It cranks and starts fine first start of the day every time, but sometimes when it is warmed up I have this issue. While cranking, just before the motor starts it will suddenly stop as if I released the key. I will then crank again and it will be fine, starting the engine. Does not do it all the time, but maybe once out of three or four warm starts. Is this a classic sign that it is going bad? Can it be replaced with the engine in the car?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Professor of Pending Projects
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Ocala, FL
I know I repeat this everytime I see a starter-problem thread but I would hate you having to spend the cash and hassel to replace a starter if the problem is with the cables.
Check your starter positive and negative cable. The end that attaches to the stater. The treads of wires inside the terminal break. As the positive cable treads break you experience problems starting the car as not all the amp/juice from the battery is getting to the starter.
The solution is to strip the cable and clamp a new terminal in place.
Also disconnect and clean the end that goes to the battery. And fully charge the battery.
Check/do that first before you take any other steps.
Check your starter positive and negative cable. The end that attaches to the stater. The treads of wires inside the terminal break. As the positive cable treads break you experience problems starting the car as not all the amp/juice from the battery is getting to the starter.
The solution is to strip the cable and clamp a new terminal in place.
Also disconnect and clean the end that goes to the battery. And fully charge the battery.
Check/do that first before you take any other steps.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,388
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From: Vancouver Island, BC , Canada
+ 1 to What Wachoko said. But in addition, I had exactly the same symptoms, starts fine when cold, occasional problem when warm, and it was the starter motor going bad. My car is a C2, and changing the starter motor is not that big a deal if you have the right tools, lots of information here on that subject.
Cheers
Cheers
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: not in HRM
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,405
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From: S.E. VA
Jaime's just being the 'Good cop'.
Now -- my Bad cop: Unless replaced before, your starter likely needs replacing. Sorry.
But, HEY! Cheer up! We've got LOTS of forum posts & guidance on the topic!
Now -- my Bad cop: Unless replaced before, your starter likely needs replacing. Sorry.
But, HEY! Cheer up! We've got LOTS of forum posts & guidance on the topic!
Professor of Pending Projects
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From: Ocala, FL
That link to the tool looks like something to add to the toolbox. For the price it makes no sense to build it myself.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: not in HRM
Was it ever an issue ?
Switches go bad . No switch lasts forever . They will all fail at some point .
Perfection is perfectly impossible .
The tool in the link might not be one you would care to own .
It might be junk from the get go .
Don't buy it just cause I linked to it please .
Switches go bad . No switch lasts forever . They will all fail at some point .
Perfection is perfectly impossible .
The tool in the link might not be one you would care to own .
It might be junk from the get go .
Don't buy it just cause I linked to it please .
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Professor of Pending Projects
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,898
Likes: 35
From: Ocala, FL
Was it ever an issue ?
Switches go bad . No switch lasts forever . They will all fail at some point .
Perfection is perfectly impossible .
The tool in the link might not be one you would care to own .
It might be junk from the get go .
Don't buy it just cause I linked to it please .
Switches go bad . No switch lasts forever . They will all fail at some point .
Perfection is perfectly impossible .
The tool in the link might not be one you would care to own .
It might be junk from the get go .
Don't buy it just cause I linked to it please .
No worries... just looked like a good tool to add, but looking at the wire gauge, that thing would fry the first time is used in a car... just looking to an alternative to the screwdriver jump
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: not in HRM
The amperage to the solenoid coil is small .
You are thinking of the switch going on the battery wire .
It does not go on the battery wire .
You use the switch to power up the solenoid and the solenoid connects the big battery wire to the starter motor .
You are thinking of the switch going on the battery wire .
It does not go on the battery wire .
You use the switch to power up the solenoid and the solenoid connects the big battery wire to the starter motor .
Professor of Pending Projects
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,898
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From: Ocala, FL
Thank you Indycam! For some stupid reason I went back to the days working in my dad's trucks... old F350s... I would see the mechanic we had using a screwdriver to test the starter... never clicked, until now, on the CORRECT way of doing it...
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,061
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From: not in HRM
The solenoid went bad on my old vw van , I did the jump the solenoid posts with a wrench trick a few times to get the motor to run .
Get in , turn on the switch , put it in neutral , check the hand brake two times , get out crawl under and jump the posts . Hope like crazy that the van does not run me over ...
Get in , turn on the switch , put it in neutral , check the hand brake two times , get out crawl under and jump the posts . Hope like crazy that the van does not run me over ...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Ohio
I know I repeat this everytime I see a starter-problem thread but I would hate you having to spend the cash and hassel to replace a starter if the problem is with the cables.
Check your starter positive and negative cable. The end that attaches to the stater. The treads of wires inside the terminal break. As the positive cable treads break you experience problems starting the car as not all the amp/juice from the battery is getting to the starter.
The solution is to strip the cable and clamp a new terminal in place.
Also disconnect and clean the end that goes to the battery. And fully charge the battery.
Check/do that first before you take any other steps.
Check your starter positive and negative cable. The end that attaches to the stater. The treads of wires inside the terminal break. As the positive cable treads break you experience problems starting the car as not all the amp/juice from the battery is getting to the starter.
The solution is to strip the cable and clamp a new terminal in place.
Also disconnect and clean the end that goes to the battery. And fully charge the battery.
Check/do that first before you take any other steps.
Thanks!