Starter?

[secondchance]

I parked at my project site, had a 2hr meeting, get in the car and turn the ignition key and I hear a faint click but no starter. So, I turn the hedlights on and check the headlight - full bright. I try starting with a spare ign. key I keep in the car - the same. A faint click.
Luckly, I am parked nose up on a slight incline, so I let the car drift backwards in reverse gear w/ clutch depressed and engage the clutch and get her started. Immediately following the start I check the voltage in digital gauge and volts look normal - 12.8 to 14.1 depending on the rpm.
My conclusion is that after 18 years and 128,000 miles of service, my starter is slowly dying - your thought?

[tccrab]

Originally Posted by secondchance

I parked at my project site, had a 2hr meeting, get in the car and turn the ignition key and I hear a faint click but no starter. So, I turn the hedlights on and check the headlight - full bright. I try starting with a spare ign. key I keep in the car - the same. A faint click.
Luckly, I am parked nose up on a slight incline, so I let the car drift backwards in reverse gear w/ clutch depressed and engage the clutch and get her started. Immediately following the start I check the voltage in digital gauge and volts look normal - 12.8 to 14.1 depending on the rpm.
My conclusion is that after 18 years and 128,000 miles of service, my starter is slowly dying - your thought?

If you hear a "Click" and no start the problem is the most probably the starter solenoid contacts going bad.
If you've never rebuilt a solenoid before it's probably just as well to change the whole starter.
Don't rule out the clutch safety switch, it could be causing problems too.
Jumper it out first and see if starting improves.

'Crabs

[pantera1683]

To check the Clutch Safety Switch (CSS):

Switch the dash display to Volts.

Turn the key to start while depressing the clutch

If you see the voltage drop as you turn the key the CSS is working.

[secondchance]

Thanks for the tips!
I will check CSS per suggestion.

[secondchance]

When CSS goes is it intermittent? Or when it goes it goes completely?

[tomtom72]

Yun, I think the CSS is a progressive failure related to the contacts going bad. I would guess they get fried by the spike of the start amps going thru them.....but I thought the later cars had a rework of that circuit so the full starting amps never went thru the CSS any longer??? I may be wrong on that last thought!


Tom

[secondchance]

Progressive - meaning intermittent at the beginning and more frequent until going completely dead?

[Brad Sewell]

$980 to replace the starter at the Chevvie dealer

[C4Fanatic]

I met a guy at the local swap meet last month that said he would rebuild the LT5 starter for me if I ever need it done.

C&P Auto Electric
815 Sunnyland
Moore, OK 73160
405-799-2083
405-799-2088
cpautoelectric@hotmail.com
Christian Chenault

Jerry is from down that way, he may have heard of this guy and have some input, I'll probably give him a try should I ever need it done.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by Brad Sewell

$980 to replace the starter at the Chevvie dealer

Well, I love Mom, Chevrolet & Apple Pie, but I guess we probably won't be going there to get our starters replaced!