Starter Issue

C

ClayFI

New Member
Mar 22, 2006
8
0
0
Melbourne, Florida
I just bought this car (87 turbo) about three weeks ago.. one of the previous owners butchered it- starter went bad so he left it sit with the targa off (not to mention all the crazy electrical stuff going on, disconnected wires.. spray painted intercooler and alternater, etc..), I'd thrash this guy if I ever met em.

Anyway, I pulled the old starter and swapped it for one I got from a friend, which I had tested and was OK. When I try to turn it over, I get a very fast click from the area where the starter is located, apparently not the same kind of click that comes with a bad starter or solenoid problem (but I won't rule it out, I'm kinda ignorent here). I think I've checked out most of the obvious causes; bad connections and the like. I spoke to a friend and we thought perhaps the starter wasn't engaging with the flywheel as it should; like I didn't get the new starter installed quite right.

Dunno, I'm stumped. Any insight would be much appreciated.

(I might add, whenever I try to turn it over... the headlights pop up and down... really odd)
 
S

socc924

Member
Mar 31, 2005
396
0
16
40
CT and Philly
I cant realy remember if the starter actually clicked, but I used to have problems with my alarm system that would cause the car not to start and the headlights would popup. You could try shutting the doors, locking it, and then unlocking it. Few other areas i have had problems is the battery cable going to the starter. Make sure that you have a realy good connection to you battery and your starter, and be sure your starter has a good charge, cause if it is drained it would cause the solenoid to engage the starter but not have enough power to crank it over.

Also, Make sure the bolts are on the starter tightly and if you think it might not be lined up with the fly wheel you can always either put a wrench on the crank pull and turn it a little or put it in gear and rock the car.

The only other thing I can think is that the starter relay is under the passenger side kick panel- but doesnt sound like that is the problem since the starter clicks.
 
C

ClayFI

New Member
Mar 22, 2006
8
0
0
Melbourne, Florida
Pulled the starter out and set it up with pos to signal, pos to main terminal- the one right next to the signal terminal, ground to frame of the starter (exactly as it was set up on the car): gear pops in and out rapidly... which was what was causing the clicking noise previously mentioned.

I got the gear to go out and stay out with a different config, and it went back in when i removed the connection, just like it should; and yet another config got it to come out and spin as well. Leads me to believe the starter is OK and maybe the previous owner had it wired up wrong.

Any thoughts?
 
C

ClayFI

New Member
Mar 22, 2006
8
0
0
Melbourne, Florida
Dunno bout the radiator thing just yet, Ill find out when I put some fluid in it.

The starter is fine and working, it was a connection problem after all. I replced the signal connector with a spade and things were peachy.. except it opened up a new problem: it'll make a half attempt to start and then hang up with this sort of grinding sound.

I manually turned the crank and it hangs up at about 5/8ths of a revolution.

Somthing hanging in the cylinders maybe? That was one idea...

Sheesh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom