|
|
Post by tiberius on Apr 22, 2015 7:35:58 GMT -6
Hey all, I'm hoping you can help with this. I'd been having some problems with my starter (grinding before engaging, clicking, etc.) so I figured I'd change it. After reading the write ups, I figured I could handle it. I bought a new starter off of Amazon because it was cheaper than Advance (maybe minus the core charge, idk). Monday evening I began to take the manifold off but lost the light before I could get it to come free. Tuesday I came home early to work on it. I got the manifold off and found a lot of crud in the valley, like rats lived there (see image of crud on the ground). I got the starter out and the new one put in and put everything back together. I had some trouble starting it initially - clicking, grinding, a backfire, almost like battery issues. When I did get it started, it was running really poorly. Come to find out I was missing a vacuum line running across the manifold. I rand to Advance to get a replacement and was out of light by the time I got back. Nevertheless, I got the line back on and got her started up. It ran better at that point, but was still not what I expected. I had some odd dips in power and weakening of interior lights. I checked the voltage from the dash monitor and it showed 13.7-14.9. I decided to drive it around, thinking maybe being unplugged for almost a day the battery just needed to run some. I took her for a spin and she performed great, no problems experienced. Voltage while driving was always 14.6-14.9. Got her back home and cut her off. Tried three or four times to start it and it stared perfectly each time. Got up this morning and nothing. It would give me a single click and everything goes dead for a moment or two, like a battery issue. I hooked it up to another vehicle from the front jump point and it still would not crank. I got real fast clicking noises and nothing else. I'm at a loss here. Any suggestions are welcome.    |
|
|
|
Post by Toronado3800 on Apr 22, 2015 9:27:46 GMT -6
Man, that fast spinning sound is one description of a starter not engaging. Your voltage readings are reasonable AND jumpimg it did not help so I will venture your battery is ok also.
My wild guesses are:
Bad ground on the engine or wherever...I thinknwe have one near the alternator.
Bad connection or wire to the starter
Bad replacement starter
Guys, what is the right way of checking how many amps the starter is drawing? My theory is this way we can see if enough voltage/amperage is making its way there or if the starter is out of spec and requiring too much voltage.
|
|
bobsblue95
Super Moderator 
Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
Posts: 3,125
Staff Member
|
Post by bobsblue95 on Apr 22, 2015 13:17:53 GMT -6
Guys, what is the right way of checking how many amps the starter is drawing? My theory is this way we can see if enough voltage/amperage is making its way there or if the starter is out of spec and requiring too much voltage. Ultimately the best way is to remove the starter and take it to a parts store where they have a test rig. Most people won't have a meter capable of reading the large current draw of a starter. Hopefully no dangerous debris fell into the head when the intake was removed, but most likely soft stuff that will burn away. WRT the battery, it sounds like a simple terminal tightening might be in order. If that doesn't solve it, you may actually have a dead cell, which can cause jump starting to fail due to the load a bad battery drains from the running vehicle. If you don't have a battery load tester, take it to the parts store for a free test. |
|
|
|
Post by tiberius on Apr 22, 2015 13:33:08 GMT -6
A tiny bit of the fluffy stuff I have pictured fell into one of the openings, but my son with tiny fingers was able to get it all out. We inspected carefully with a flashlight and plugged the holes with paper towels after that. I will pull the starter and battery both on Saturday and have Advance Auto test them both. Thanks for the help guys.
|
|
