Starter fails at times

[sunny_8]

So car is going south yet again, when turning the key, I just hear a click. But car does not start. If I turn the key over about 4 times fast, then the car starts, somtimes, if I just hold it in the on position, it starts after 5 seconds.

Besides checking the solonoid, how hard is it to change the starter ? Ignition switch ? any procedures or tips ?

thanks

[Mitch DOHC]

i have had three cars to do this... my 94 cutlass convert, my 91cutlass 4 door, and my tahoe... all three times it was the starter...... the starter isent hard to replace..... just remove the oil filter for some clearence....

[sil]

sounds like the brushes are worn short, and they might be sticking/not touching the com with enough force
or dead spot/weak in one of the windings, which means 1 of the com slots wont do nothing/less effective

you can get aligator clips and clip the positive to the 12v input on the solonoid, hook it to your volt meter and when it doesnt start, have someone look at the volt meter when you turn the ignition to start position and see if there are any volts going to the solonoid
if there are volts going to solonoid, then get your friend to tap on the starter while your holding the key in start

you want to hold the key becuase your trying to eliminate the igition switch from the variable (you said turning it on/off eventually works)

if not then its ignition switch, or neutral saftey switch, or the little box under the dash that has the rod going to it from the ignition switch
dunno if thats the safty switch or not, cant remember what its called, but i know one of those went bad on me before

thats where i would start anyways
good luck

[93Oldsdroptop]

Try giving the starter a whack with a BFH (big fucking hammer).

That will jar the brushes and hopefully it will engage. Changing the starter isn't that bad, but you will have to take off the oil cooler (what the oil filter is mounted to) in order to get it out. That is if you have an oil cooler, some 3.4s do and some don't.

Good luck!

[sunny_8]

If I want to change the starter, then what other starter can I buy and use ? I hear I can put in a different one from a different car, which is smaller and better...any inputs ?

Still aint checked it when its dead, but it does not start more often every day...winter coming in a month....

thanks,

[sunny_8]

ok bring the retard that I am, I tried to see if volts are going to the solonoid. I put a volt meter on the purple wire, and then put the negative to the ac line, when the car was not starting, key held in start, the volt meter showed about 7.3volts.

Then while holding the key in place, I wacked the starter, ( the huge black thing under the solonid).....did not start.

I am at a loss now.....shall I just get a starter off ebay and install it ? I have been checking this out :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STARTER-2005-IMPALA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33576QQihZ013QQitemZ230172559147QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

will that do the trick ?

thanks,

[5speedz34]

That starter will work fine.

Are you sure it isn't the VATS security system?

[sunny_8]

Thanks, I dont know what the VATS system is ?....I dont think its the security system, I am thinking its the starter, from reading other posts....

thanks again..i'll let you know what happens

[sunny_8]

Replaced starter - all good....now I just lost my OBD Key - and car does not start....

[sunny_8]

ok so back to this again. Changed the starter solenoid and now I have the same issue again. Right now I have a new starter and solenoid in the car. I cannot find the relay if there is any.

I need some help on figuring out what the issue is. Where can I start ? Don't know what the ignition switch is or where a starter relay is.

Please help....renting a car aint cheap....

thanks all!

[sunny_8]

Okay guys I am back to square one again....here is what I have done so far:

1. Old starter replaced with new starter.
2. New solonoid replaced on the new starter.
3. Cleaned all terminals at the battery post connection.

Same issue as before i had changed my starter. Put the key in, turn only hear a click....now i have to turn the key about 40-50 times before it starts.

The issue only happens sometimes, but is getting more and more frequent.

I know others said they had the same issue...help help help..PLEASE!!

I don;t think its the starter as the same issue is present with a new starter, so its somthing that is still common....ign switch ? I need help on locating and replacing..please.

thanks!

[pocket-rocket]

Check your chassis grounds. Another guy on here ended up having the same problem and replaced his ignition switch (the one buried deep inside you column, not the actual tumbler where you put the key) to fix his. Start cheap though, check the grounds first.

EDIT: And now that I read your post up at the top of this page, 7.3 volts sounds like a sure fire bad ignition switch, dude.