It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Got some workers coming to the house this morning, and I had to move the Corvette so that they could get their truck in. Go to start the car, and the starter just spins fast. No sound of the solenoid clicking. Damn. Who thought putting the starter under the plenum was a good idea? Can't even whack it with a hammer!!!

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

That happens to me. I let it sit there for a few seconds, then it catches.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

I'll go try it later on. Maybe even give it a boost.

I asked the previous mechanic to check the starter and clean the solenoid contacts. I wonder if that got done.

I just don't want to park it for the winter with no way to start it. One more plenum pull? Maybe do the injectors this time too, while we are in there? Sigh.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

I?m likely going to pull the plenum this winter. The TB coolant bypass makes this so much more convenient to do. Interested in having injectors flow checked, and while I?m there I?ll look to clean contacts on starter. I sprayed PAM on the plenum gaskets before torquing. Hopefully that?ll save me from redoing gaskets.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

As the heat isn't working in the garage currently, my enthusiasm to do my first plenum pull in the freezing cold kinda limits my enthusiasm to do it myself over the winter. As I've done pretty well everything under the plenum already, hitting the starter and injectors will hopefully mean I don't have to dig in there again for a while.

I might have jinxed myself. I did order an extra set of plenum gaskets from Jerry. :)

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Your having to pull the starter again may be unavoidable given what your experiencing. And while it most likely is the solenoid, the bendix drive gear needs to be looked at too. I've seen them where the bendix is so gummed up with old grease it will not function. (Move forward to engage the flywheel) The fact that the starter spins but does not engage makes me suspicious of the bendix. A full rebuild of the starter may be in order.

The throttle body coolant bypass Dom recommended is something to consider. Makes plenum pulling a snap. On these cars you never know when you have to get in there.

Whenever these issues crop up the two places I always look for answers is the Solutions Sticky at the top of the Technical section of this forum and the Articles/Presentations section of Haibecks website. Www.zr1specialist.com And while this issue is not addressed directly, for example, here is what Haibeck has to say about starting issues. Really good info on the starter/circuit in general here.
http://zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/a...20Problems.pdf

H
:cheers:

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Likely better ti get a local rebuilder, if there is such a thing, to do it then ti try to find a rep;a cement, I would guess. Iirc, it is a non standard starter in some way, no?

There would be some good piece of mind in knowing the starter is serviced and working properly anyway.

I think I've done nigh onto everything under the plenum anyhow. Anything else to look for while we are in there?

Over to Marc's for some reading now.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

And Marc rocks as always. Had another matter to contact him about , so I asked for his starter recommendations. He said the issue would be the overrun clutch. He recommended just changing that, and the solenoid contacts. Do not let the change the motor, brushes, etc, as the aftermarket replacement parts are of worse quality then the original ones.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Thanks for that tip. What do I lose by bypassing the TB Coolant?

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

New starters are available. The PO of my 94 had the starter professionally rebuilt before selling the car. A month or so later, it wouldn't crank when heat soaked. Only after the hood was left open for an hour or more, would it crank and fire up. Bought one of these and haven't had a problem since.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Delco-Remy-...0AAMXQQQhRfi97

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

That is very good to know. Thanks very much!!! Thanks very much!!!

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Agree . Just change the whole unit out and be done with it
[emoji106]

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Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

I went out and did about 5 or 6 spins of the starter, and it finally ended up catching. Let it run for a good while, and turned it off. Crossed my fingers, turned the key, and she started right to life again. Did it a couple of more times and all was good. Took her out for about an hour and a half run, including a stop for gas, and all went well.

I am thinking the new starter might be a good thing to do. Then shoot the old one over to Marc for a rebuild.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

I have a local company here in Baltimore that I have had several starters and alternators rebuilt. Typically a one day turn around. They have been very good and not very expensive. Let me know if you need help. Thanks Mark

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

I did the same thing. part is an EXACT replacement. I then rebuilt my stock unit. cleaned -repacked bearings, cleaned solenoid etc.. Now I have a spare.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Just ordered mine. And yes, I'll do the same thing that you did with your old one.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Thanks for the tip!
Followed your suggestion.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

The plenum pull isn't a big deal. I would definitely try to get the old starter working and keep the new one as a spare. These rarely have issues that aren't repairable.

Re: It's Always Something, dammit.
 

Definitely gonna have a spare.