Real-Time Vacation Help Needed (2 Viewers)

[Von Hayek]

I am on vacation in Boone, North Carolina and I am having intermittent starting issues. I believe it to be the starter which has 236k on it. I have on '06 LC, and I checked the battery right before we left. It had a charge and the alternator was working. When I went to start it last night I got nothing, but on the third or fourth try it cranked right up. No slow start. Same thing happened this morning. Nothing for 5 or 6 tries, then bang it fired right up. Unfortunately, I don't have a multimeter with the me for any diagnostics.

I know the starter is a bear to get to on these, but I have never done the job. I'm assuming there is no way to give it a smack with ye olde hammer? My plan is to to get the truck started, fill up with gas without shutting it off and head on home.

One coincidence worth mentioning, though coincidence is all I believe that it is, is that when I parked it before the starter issue began, I hit a parking meter backing into my spot. I have a metal rear bumper, but I did hit it pretty solid on the rear passenger side. I cannot conceive of how this might in anyway affect the starter circuit, but someone smarter than me might know.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Plenty of people think their battery is great and that turns out to be the issue. Are you hearing the clicking of the starter relay? Regardless, sounds like your starter and no, no way to get to it easily on the road.

 

[hoser]

It does sound like classic starter going bad. Your plan home sounds fine to me.

 

[AARONTLC]

I never shut off at the pump. Drives my wife nuts.

 

[2001LC]

I am on vacation in Boone, North Carolina and I am having intermittent starting issues. I believe it to be the starter which has 236k on it. I have on '06 LC, and I checked the battery right before we left. It had a charge and the alternator was working. When I went to start it last night I got nothing, but on the third or fourth try it cranked right up. No slow start. Same thing happened this morning. Nothing for 5 or 6 tries, then bang it fired right up. Unfortunately, I don't have a multimeter with the me for any diagnostics.

I know the starter is a bear to get to on these, but I have never done the job. I'm assuming there is no way to give it a smack with ye olde hammer? My plan is to to get the truck started, fill up with gas without shutting it off and head on home.

One coincidence worth mentioning, though coincidence is all I believe that it is, is that when I parked it before the starter issue began, I hit a parking meter backing into my spot. I have a metal rear bumper, but I did hit it pretty solid on the rear passenger side. I cannot conceive of how this might in anyway affect the starter circuit, but someone smarter than me might know.

Thanks for the help.

Does sound like starter. In the 06-07, we can't tap/bang on starter. Which is a great trick to get started when contacts bad.

But do check a few things before R&R of starter:

1. Make sure battery clamps are sung.
2. Make sure battery has ~12.5 volt or better. 12V will work, but not idea. Dash battery gauge, key ON. Should be between 12 & 14 volt lines. Is good indicator, but Multimeter is better.
3. Multimeter is a must, to test for good connecting. We want to see same voltage between battery post -+, as we do from + post to a ground point downstream of battery. Number one reason we don't get same voltage at all points; Is oxidation or chemical block of current on/at battery post. Make sure battery post and clamps, are cleaned of oxidation. I use white lithium grease on post & clamp, to help reduce oxidation once cleaned.
4. We also must make sure neutral lock off switch, working as it should. Sometime tapping shift forward in park or shift the N, starter will than crack engine.
5. We've also seen some of the after battery oversized clamp assemblies, have a loose down stream of batter connect. That can be intermittent. So check all points of these assemblies.

 

[Patron100LC]

Wow, mechanical issues during vacation, thanks for bringing me back in time, I think I still have a picture of me rebuilding a fuel pump in one of my aircooled VWs in front of a cabin, snapped by my high school GF.

Straight wheels so you don't stress the starting switch, foot off brake so you don't activate brake pumps that drain battery, all off (radio, AC, lights), and get to switching on and off several times, maybe you get lucky and the starter catches.
No luck? Put in D or R and have a friend/wife/some fat guy push the car to move the transmission, which might move the flywheel that might move the starter a bit, and try again..

No luck? get your Amex out and tow..

 

[Von Hayek]

Thanks for all of the help gentlemen.