Starter, Ignition switch, or Starter solenoid?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 21
From: los angeles
Starter, Ignition switch, or Starter solenoid?
Patient: 2003 Carrera C4s, 73K miles, 6speed.
The starter has been replaced at least once in this car.
On friday, I come out from the gym, and the car does not start. AAA comes out and installs new battery. Maybe the battery was on its 3rd year, but most probably closer to 2+. Car starts right up and i don't think about it twice.
This morning at the gas station, same deal. Car will not turn over, voltage shows 12 and a hair as I turn the ignition switch. Odd.
Call AAA and jumping does not work to turn over the car. So we tried push starting which went unsuccessful due to the lack of speed.
Anyhow, I tried to start and voila. The car started.
What say you? And possilbe costs?
The starter has been replaced at least once in this car.
On friday, I come out from the gym, and the car does not start. AAA comes out and installs new battery. Maybe the battery was on its 3rd year, but most probably closer to 2+. Car starts right up and i don't think about it twice.
This morning at the gas station, same deal. Car will not turn over, voltage shows 12 and a hair as I turn the ignition switch. Odd.
Call AAA and jumping does not work to turn over the car. So we tried push starting which went unsuccessful due to the lack of speed.
Anyhow, I tried to start and voila. The car started.
What say you? And possilbe costs?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 21
From: los angeles
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV.
No "click" from the backend starter area? If not usually bad starter solenoid. However...I have heard that a bad ignition switch could be a culprit too with these symptoms.
Usually the ignition switch gives other funny gremlins when it goes.
If it were me. I would replace the ignition switch because it is the easiest/cheapest part to start with AND you state that the starter has already been replaced.
Usually the ignition switch gives other funny gremlins when it goes.
If it were me. I would replace the ignition switch because it is the easiest/cheapest part to start with AND you state that the starter has already been replaced.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,008
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From: los angeles
I'll also find out the mileage when the second one was installed.
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Joined: May 2005
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Very odd. I had something similar on another car one time. It turned out to be a bad connection at the starter. I ended up having to buy a new connector.
Did they test the old starter (out of the car) and it was bad, or did they replace it and that cured the problem?
Did they test the old starter (out of the car) and it was bad, or did they replace it and that cured the problem?
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Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 21
From: los angeles
I have no idea, but I noticed that on the work order, it said reman unit.
I don't think they test much because it would take more time, but who knows. All I know is that my car has that quick start kick feel instead of it feelign like it's underpowered on cranking.
I don't think they test much because it would take more time, but who knows. All I know is that my car has that quick start kick feel instead of it feelign like it's underpowered on cranking.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 8
From: Another Ex pat Brit in SoCal
No "click" from the backend starter area? If not usually bad starter solenoid. However...I have heard that a bad ignition switch could be a culprit too with these symptoms.
Usually the ignition switch gives other funny gremlins when it goes.
If it were me. I would replace the ignition switch because it is the easiest/cheapest part to start with AND you state that the starter has already been replaced.
Usually the ignition switch gives other funny gremlins when it goes.
If it were me. I would replace the ignition switch because it is the easiest/cheapest part to start with AND you state that the starter has already been replaced.
