Starter Question

[uzj100]

I think I am having the starter problem on my 1999 LC. I turn the key and nothing happens, then I try again and it starts. My question is this.

Will I save on starter labor if I replace it while they are doing the timing belt? IE will it be easier to get too? I would think so.

Thank you in advance,

uzj100

 

[robbie]

no you will not save any labor, different parts of the engine. the timing belt is at the front of the engine. while the starter is under the intake assembly and at the back of the engine. it may just be a convience thing to get both jobs done at same time. yes it does sound like the starter contacts need replacing. later robbie

 

[uzj100]

Just the contacts or should I do the entire starter?

Thanks,

uzj100

 

[tabraha]

I know alot of people have had this happen and it was in fact the starter but I had the exact same thing happen a month ago with different results. I had the battery checked first, found a weak cell and replaced it. Starts every time now. I felt that surely it was the starter b/c it would not crank the first time sometimes, and it would crank the next. The radio played, dome lights were on bright.It's free to check the battery first! I notice you have a pretty nice battery listed in your sig but I'd still check it just to rule it out.

 

[uzj100]

Is there a way to checked a sealed battery? I remember back in the day, you could use the float bob thing and check the cells. I will have to see if I can pry this battery open. (kidding of course).

 

[tabraha]

Oh my god I thought I had gotten you killed until I got to the part in parens!


I think the only thing you can do is check the voltage directly really.

 

[mobi-arc]

I would also check the physical connections to the starter. I had the same thing happen on my '98 and it turned out to be a bad connection.

 

[uzj100]

Bad connection. Do you mean the connection was loose? Also, how easy is it to get the connections to tighten them. Do I have to take everything off just like removing the starter?

Thanks,

uzj100

 

[robbie]

yes the intakes have to come off to check the connections at the starter. it really is not that bad of a job, just time consuming. you may be able to reuse the gaskets if you want, as a shop i replace the gaskets when i do the job. yes check the connectins at the battery and use a volt meter and see if the voltage drop is more than 2 volts. the battery sholud not drop less than 10.5 volts when you crank over the engine. if so you have either too much draw(starter bad) or the battery is bad. but it still sounds like the starter contacts. later robbie

 

[mabrodis]

I have also seen a '99 Cruiser with this exact same problem. The guy (my brother in law) took it into a shop, they diagnosed it, ordered a new starter (they wouldn't rebuild it) which took 2 days to get. However, it has never done it since, so he's never had them actually do the work. My guess is it was the contacts but they just started working ok again, and will die again (mine in my '97 did that several times). But it's possible it was just a loose cable and them playing around fixed it...there is a very nice write up on how to pull the starter here on mud if you search.

 

[mobi-arc]

Bad connection

Bad connection. Do you mean the connection was loose? Also, how easy is it to get the connections to tighten them. Do I have to take everything off just like removing the starter?

Thanks,

uzj100

There are two types of connections: gasless and other. Where the cables connect to the starter solenoid contacts, that would fall into the "other" category and as such, are subject to oxidation, corrosion, and deterioration over time.

 

[rph74]

This really sounds like bad starter contacts to me. You have the exact same symptoms that I had. I replaced the contacts myself, and haven't had a problem since. Likely all you need are the contacts, not the whole starter.