starter problem, need help asap

[Clip]

i go to start the car friday night and its f'ing cold out (20 or so). starter clicks and then battery dies. i tapped on the starter and tried to start it, but the batt kept getting weaker with every click of the starter.

calling a few friends, i finally got a jumpstart and with some luck got the thing to start.

so question is: is it starter or the starter solenoid? i can hear relays clicking behind the dash.

could just be connections, but here lately the starter seemed to be getting weak (its pulled this stuff before, but i think the cold snap killed it).

plans: figure out what the problem is, and order new parts from rockauto.com

is RockAuto a reliable site? advance, autozone, and napa all have rebuilt bosch starters and i am not going to put one of these in my car. RockAuto has NipponDensos, and a great selection of other parts that id need (gaskets and such while im changing the starter)

cliffs:

how do i diagnose a starter problem?
is RockAuto reliable?
on RockAuto, i see a starter driver, starter motor, and starter solenoid. which will i need (depending on how the diagnosis goes)

 

[silversup]

Either battery or solenoid. But would you actually only replace the solenoid?

 

[Clip]

that's what im asking you guys.

 

[TobyCat]

Well, if you got it jumpstarted it sounds more like a battery problem. Also, have you changed the oil to something a bit thinner for the winter? A combination of cold temps, thick oil and weak battery = troubles. I'd take your battery inside tonight and charge it if you can.

 

[Clip]

ok, now how about in 70 degree temps being in the garage overnight, itll click a few times and then finally catch after a few turns of the key?

 

[TobyCat]

ah, then that my friend are the starter contacts. You've got two choices, you can rebuild your own starter and buy the contacts kit (http://www.supras.com/06/techcenter/display.php?QID=68), or buying a new one. I chose the second route because the price for a new starter wasn't that much more than the contact kits. Either way, changing a starter is a PITA! I'm sure there are easier ways to get that top bolt...but damn that was frustrating!

Oh and, don't forget to disconnect the battery! Ohhhh ZAP.

 

[turbo4toy]

Start with the battery.......most auto places will test for free to see if its still good they can check your alternator as well. With those out of the way i would go to the starter.

But there is also a good chance it could be the starter but it never hurts to have the other parts checked out while you're at it.

 

[Clip]

today im going out to pick up a new battery, see how far that gets me. since im off of school tomorrow i figure ima dive in and see whats up with the starter.

 

[mhopemk3]

Sounds like the same problem I had.. You could splice a wire to the small blue wire that connects to the starter. On the other end just crimp on a terminal connector. If you start it with the key and it does not start, then touch the jumper wire to the + on the battery and see if it starts..
***make sure your car is not in gear though*** I went through 2 starters, battery and a set of contacts. Car did the same thing with all of them.. When I replaced my engine harness the problem went away..

Hope this is not your problem.. I went to toyota and got the contacts for about $12..

 

[Clip]

ill check that. i need to get a new batt, mine is around 4 or 5 years old and its from kmart. off i go to the store!

 

[mk3concepts]

ok sorry to steal your thread im having the same problem..it was cold outside..and my car would not start either..jump start did not work..but push start did..whats that problem?

 

[Clip]

bad connections/bad starter? when you pushed it you just skipped the starter step altogether, so id say it's either died or the connections aren't too good. i havent gotten to mine yet, i decided to take the whole intake off and change some gaskets while the car was down.

 

[Dachande]

I bought a crappy reman duralast starter from autozone (as it was the only one offered at the time). From the start, the solenoid was no good, and the car would start like normal sometimes, and others it would be completely dead and I would need a running car to to jump it.
Since it had a lifetime warranty I simply popped it out in the parking lot and got another. This one worked fine for about 2 months and then started doing the exact same thing.
If you need to replace your starter I recommend getting a 90 model starter from the dealer.

 

[Clip]

im going with a nippondenso rebuilt from rockauto, any words on this?