Starter Problems, need some knowledgeable advice

[SupraStorm1080]

I just finished putting my car back together after a BHG, and i go and try to turn it on it cranks but it didn't fire up but by the third time it fired up for about a second and died again. After that i tried again but the starter stopped cranking, so i jumped the car but it didn't work the starter just stopped cranking. Now all i hear is a Click when I turn the key all the way and thats it, so im thinking i probably killed the starter or solenoid when i kept trying to start it.

So now im thinking about pulling out the starter and replacing it, anyone else know what could be wrong???

1989 7mgte AT

Hey i fixed the starter problem, after i replaced the contacts and now its starting but it dies after it idles for 10 seconds. It starts strong at about 1200 rpm, then slowly drops and dies and if i try to push the gas pedal it dies right away. Im not sure but maybe its not getting enough gas or something, any advice?

 

[johnathan1]

Well, you could try hitting the starter with a wrench, or something heavy...

If that makes the starter work, then the brushes (contacts) are worn, and the starter needs to be replaced...(or you could just replace the brushes).

Also, check all connections to the starter.

 

[Nick M]

Or you could try and recharge or replace your dead battery first.

 

[SupraStorm1080]

is there any direction i should hit it??? from the top or from the bottom left or right.

do you think there is a chance that the engine is seized and thats why the starter won't crank??? because i remember also hearing a very faint buzzing sound as if it was trying to move but couldn't

 

[SupraStorm1080]

Or you could try and recharge or replace your dead battery first.

I didn't check the charge on the battery, but i hooked it up to a jumpstarter and still didn't work but i left i hooked up for a while to charge the battery and same thing happened just clicking. But the lights worked and the radio worked so im thinking the battery is in decent shape

 

[johnathan1]

Buzzing = Not enough power, IIRC... Make sure the battery is good.

I suppose it is possible that the engine is seized, but it's HIGHLY unlikely.

 

[Bishop92t]

Put a 19mm on a ratchet and try to turn the crank by hand. That will solve the question of whether your engine is frozen or not.

Just turning on the radio and lights doesn't tell enough. Starter requires a certain voltage which is higher then the voltage the radio and lights need to work.

Could also be starter contacts going out.

 

[SupraStorm1080]

Buzzing = Not enough power, IIRC... Make sure the battery is good.

I suppose it is possible that the engine is seized, but it's HIGHLY unlikely.

Well the buzzing isn't loud at all, its more of a sound of electricity because its very very faint. Also the lights dim when the i try to start the car so i don't think its the wiring, so i think it might be the starter it self but not sure, so ill fiddle around with the wiring first.

 

[themadhatter]

take a long peice of wire attach one end to the starter solinoid's plug (one on the starter i think its brown)and hold the wire on the + side of the battery if it turns over your starter is good

 

[87CandyBlueT]

Have the starter tested. Is their a diesel brush size that fits the 7m starter? I have been thinking of rebuilding mine when I pull the engine, I always used diesel brushes in the v8's I've owned they last forever.
Also if you have another car you drive daily, swap the battery to be sure it's fully charged. Then start checking fuses, if the IGN(Under hood) fuse is blown the starter will not engage. Maybe check the RTR fuse also, not sure what it is for? anyone?

 

[Zumtizzle]

Never Buy a New Starter, Replace the Contacts.

http://www.supras.com/06/techcenter/display.php?QID=68

If that is the problem.

 

[SupraStorm1080]

Put a 19mm on a ratchet and try to turn the crank by hand. That will solve the question of whether your engine is frozen or not.

Just turning on the radio and lights doesn't tell enough. Starter requires a certain voltage which is higher then the voltage the radio and lights need to work.

Could also be starter contacts going out.

Cool good suggestion, i tried it and the motor isn't seized so that a relief. Do you also know of 600 cranking amps is enough to start the car because thats why my jumper had and it seemed to have no effect

 

[johnathan1]

Did you try tapping the starter? Usually if the brushes are worn out, this will make it work temporarily...

 

[SupraStorm1080]

Did you try tapping the starter? Usually if the brushes are worn out, this will make it work temporarily...

Yeah i did and it cranked for like half a second when i hit the starter, is there a difference between the brushes and contacts?

 

[johnathan1]

Haha, if it cranked then the contacts/brushes (same thing) are worn out!

Same thing happened to my starter...

If you have someone tap it while you crank, you should be able to get it to start...

 

[SupraStorm1080]

HAHA so all i have to do is wack it every time i want to drive now, and All the wires seem to look ok, so its probably the contacts then. Whats the easiest way of taking out the starter, from above or below? i was thinking about removing the intake chamber to pull the starter out from above

 

[johnathan1]

Yea, but it's not good to whack all the time ...it won't keep working for very long...

You'll have to either replace the contacts inside the starter, or replace the whole starter...

 

[SupraStorm1080]

im probably going to get started on taking the starter out this week sometime, and buy some new contacts thanks for the help

 

[Cedrock15]

when i did my hg job my car cranked as well and wouldnt start. I dropped it off at the shop (b/c i got pissed off working on it) and the problem was the cps was off by a little bit. I'd say check your cps, timing, and fuses because you might of blew one from cranking too much.

 

[johnathan1]

Engine would still crank with a messed up CPS.