Symptoms of a bad starter

[ZombieWeinerDog]

what are some of the symptoms af a bad starter, or a starter that is going bad?

[big_al_71]

you will hear whinning once it spins, click noise when starting..

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

you will hear whinning once it spins, click noise when starting..

when the starter goes bad, could be the bearing in the starter or bushing on the armature or your battery goes dead on you one morning , and all the sounds you get from the starter ,,that don't sound to right. but take your starter out and take it to the zone, and they can check it out for free. and then tell you how much you might have to spend for a new one or rebuilt one.:Chevy:
hi Big_ AL_71, good stuff on here huh?

[Tx Firefighter]

I always rebuild my own starters. I get the parts from O Reilly locally.

To competely redo one, I get both bushings, the starter drive (bendix), 4 brushes, 2 brush springs, and the pivot fork that pushes the drive out.

A soleniod isn't usually required as you can flip the washer inside of it to get a new contact surface.

I did the one in my beater a month or so ago, and I had right at 45 dollars invested in it, but the end result is much superior to a parts store rebuilt cheapie.

[Irishpilot]

I wish I had the skills of Tx Firefighter. When my starter went out I brought it in as a core to the "zone" and got one with a lifetime warranty. I have a lot of compression so I figure it is a good investment.

[Tx Firefighter]

No skills at all man. You just disassemble the starter and put it back together with new parts.

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I always rebuild my own starters. I get the parts from O Reilly locally.

To competely redo one, I get both bushings, the starter drive (bendix), 4 brushes, 2 brush springs, and the pivot fork that pushes the drive out.

A soleniod isn't usually required as you can flip the washer inside of it to get a new contact surface.

I did the one in my beater a month or so ago, and I had right at 45 dollars invested in it, but the end result is much superior to a parts store rebuilt cheapie.

Tx, just what i would do, when i was younger of course,,,now i just buy a new one and don't bother with rebuilding a starter, but it can be done and there is really no difficult process involved in doing it your self. just get'er done is all that it involves ,,thanks Tx firefighter , :Chevy:
i have a great family now and we have a lift in our shop now and that helps me still work on "The Ghost" when i can't get under the truck any more. and my new wife will not let me get under any cars or trucks any more since we got the lift in the shop. be careful out there Tx.

[Tx Firefighter]

I do it myself so I know it's done right. Plus, I wanted to detail it and powdercoat it to make it look perfect for a long time.

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I do it myself so I know it's done right. Plus, I wanted to detail it and powdercoat it to make it look perfect for a long time.

kevin; that's the way I am too, i have to do it myself and i figure it's gets done right, glad to hear that there is someone out here that feels the same as i do.
hey kevin, remember that guy from NC doing work on his title for his 66-67-??,,
truck yesterday he threaded that he finally got'er all done and he had all the paper work done on the truck.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by ZombieWeinerDog

what are some of the symptoms af a bad starter, or a starter that is going bad?

... truck won't start







sorry, I couldn't resist

[JimKshortstep4x4]

You can test the amperage draw on your starter. The battery has to be fully charged and in good condition.

The amp reading should be approximately 150-200 amps while cranking. An amprobe clamp over meter of the right range is needed to clamp over the positive cable.

Another test that you can do is use a volt meter hooked to your battery while cranking. Voltage should not go below 10 volts. If the battery is good this test will work to tell if a starter is bad.

In both tests disconnecting the distributor wire is suggested so the engine won't start.

Jim

[special-K]

There are a few ways the starter or solenoid can go bad.If it appears to have a bad battery,won`t crank,yeat a fresh battery or jump start still won`t get it is one symptom.First check wiring and connections.If ok there,the windings are shot and the starter is drawing more amps than provided by the system.Headers can produce the same symptoms by heating the starter and expanding the works to where it won`t spin.Cold water on it will getcha goin`.You`ll get not even a click when it`s too hot,yet will have full power to lights,horn,wipers,etc.

I always took my bench work (carbs,starters,alternators) to a good shop in my area that specializes.The price was right and top-notch quality.I haven`t checked lately since I`ve heard crazy high rebuild costs all over.If they are up to prices elsewhere I`ll take a good look at doing my own.It was always my time vs cost and cost won.Things are a changin`,tho`.I had been taking my stuff to my buddy`s shop for about 15 years since he was reasonable and good and I was busy doin`what I do.But,I have been doing my own work the last three years with this recession putting a big hurt on my income.