Could someone explain this device>>>

[ZR1Vette]

What is it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-96...Q5fAccessories

[Gunny]

If your starter develops a "flat" spot, you can use any 1/2" - 5/8" diameter rod about 24-30" long to "tap" it loose. A brass grounding rod available from Home Depot is readily available. You push the rod straight down at the back of the engine until it touches the starter area. Take a flashlight & shine down behind the engine from above and you should see the area that you want to tap. Give it a few sharp raps with a hammer to help the starter get off the "flat" spot and it should start ... if that is indeed the problem.

Thanks to Gordon Killebrew (I learned this at his school a few years back).

btw, if this does get you going, it's probably wise to start looking for a new starter or having the existing one rebuilt. Changing the starter is very easy ... after you've removed the plenum, coil packs, etc. etc.

George

[FU]

Store under your seat for that feared rainy day that you need to tap that starter under your plenium with these heavy brass rods to get that beast started.


I guess if the starter dosen't work on a perticular day . One would but this rod together and beat the starter into submission

[GOLDCYLON]

Exactly where is the sweet spot? I have wondered about this, does anybody have a pic of the rod in the correct submission location to tap the starter. I 100% agree this is a get you down the road procedure until the starter can be pulled statement.

[QB93Z]

I used to have to do this to the starter in my Trans Am until I got around to replacing the starter (outdoors, in the snow). It is caused by a dirty commutator that has dead spots where the electricity can't flow. The mechanical agitation (smacking it) moves the rotor slightly and allows current to flow.

Jim

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Exactly where is the sweet spot? I have wondered about this, does anybody have a pic of the rod in the correct submission location to tap the starter. I 100% agree this is a get you down the road procedure until the starter can be pulled statement.

Getting a photo might prove to be difficult if not impossible ... you just can't see very well where you need to look. But the spot is almost dead center in the back of the engine. Lower the rod vertically until you touch the metal housing and that should be it. I watched Gordon do it and I've tried it a couple of times, but haven't even looked at that in over 3 years and my memory is probably (make that definitely) foggy. Again from memory, if you can shine a flashlight & position yourself to look straight down at the back of the engine I think it is reasonably obvious. Perhaps someone else can chime in & help me out here. As far as I know this only works when the starter is developing "flat" spots and is, at best, an emergency procedure only.

George

[LGAFF]

Haibeck told me another trick is to hook a battery to jumper cables, link it in line with your battery then turn it over.....the excess voltage willl blow off some of the buildup and fix your starter issues.

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Haibeck told me another trick is to hook a battery to jumper cables, link it in line with your battery then turn it over.....the excess voltage willl blow off some of the buildup and fix your starter issues.

Wait -- you mean to run it in series -- 24V? That can't be good. If it's connected properly, the voltage should be the same, albeit with more current... If I'm remembering properly??

[LGAFF]

Thats what he said to do, the voltage blows off crud apparently.

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Thats what he said to do, the voltage blows off crud apparently.

I'd think it'd do more than that... But then again, what do I know?