Repair Topics / No Starter-1 / No Starter-2

Car and Truck Engine Starter Relay,  Battery Cables and Ignition Switch Questions

Question: 1999 Mercury Sable mileage: 119,000. I seem to have an electrical gremlin. Sometimes when I start the car, the starter won't disengage. The only way to get it to disengage is to play with the ignition key lock cylinder (turn to start position & back a few times) or disconnect a battery cable. It only does this intermittently, and I can't predict when it will happen. I've had it to the shop 4 times already: the starter has been replaced twice, the solenoid replaced 3x, the ignition switch replaced once, and the ignition key lock cylinder replaced once. Any suggestions?

Answer:   It sounds like you have a starter solenoid that needs replacing. It is located by the battery.

Question: 2005 Pontiac Grand Am, mileage: 69,900.  Installed a new starter today and I am having some problems with it.  After I turn the key, the starter starts and won't stop. It makes a loud whining noise that I assume is the starter not disengaging.  Then I shut the ignition off, and the starter continues trying to turn the engine.   I had to disconnect the battery to stop this.   What is it?

Answer: It sounds like you have either replaced the wires incorrectly to the starter or you have a faulty starter.

Question: 1999 Mercedes Benz C280, mileage: 90,000.  The starter doesn't seem to be connecting with the engine. It is spinning but it isn't gripping.  It is firmly mounted.  Could it be that the tines to the starter that grip onto the engine are worn down?

Answer: Your problem sounds like the starter drive inside the starter has failed.  Replacing the starter assembly should fix your problem.

Question: 2003 GMC Suburban, mileage: 95,000.  When I turn the key all dash messages come up as normal and I can hear the starter solenoid switch, yet the starter and engine will not turn over.  It appeared that I had full electrical power (bright lights etc.).  I jumped it, charged it still wouldn't start.  I took the battery in; they tested the battery and determined that it was bad.  I replaced with new battery.  I still have the same problems and symptoms.  Checked fuses, all look good.  A couple weeks ago I turned key and this happened, then tried a couple more times and it fired up strong.   Since then it has started repeatedly without problems, now symptom has returned.  What are the most likely problems?  Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer: More than likely, the starter is shorted and needs replacing.

Question: 1998 Ford Mustang, mileage: 175,000.  I have a stock motor in my Mustang. I’ve gone through 3 starters.   My current starter works well prior to driving my car, but as soon as my car runs for more than 5 minutes motor turns over very slowly an usually doesn’t start unless I let it cool down.  Do I require a heat shield or is my starter bad?

Answer:  All rebuilt starters are not the same. Trust me when I tell you this, I have had so many starter come back on a hook, it is ridiculous. That's why ONLY use factory rebuilt starters from eAutoPartStore.com. They offer factory rebuilt starters from AC Delco, MotorCraft, Bosch, Nippondenso and more. The cheap starters come with a lifetime warranty, you will be changing them the rest of your life.

Question: 2001 Ford F150, mileage 51,000. The starter will kick in but it just spins and the engine won't kick over.  Is there anything I can do to try to undo it or do I have to take it out and rebuild it or get a new one?

Answer:  If the starter spins and the engine is not turning over, the starter is not engaging the flywheel.  You may have a faulty starter. Replace with new to repair problem.

Question: 1998 911 Twin Turbo,  mileage: 55,000.   I am having trouble getting the starter off. I got the bolt off the bottom and the bolt to the bracket and it won't come off I looked for another bolt but I can't find one. I thought it my just be stuck in the bell housing but when I tried prying it off it didn't move. So how do I get it off?

Answer:   It is hard to see, check the replacement starter for location. Then use a universal driver to remove.

Question: 2001 Chevrolet 1500 Truck, mileage: 48,000.  The problem that I have with my  pickup truck is that this afternoon when I turned the key it made a grinding noise like the battery was dead but I ended up putting jumping cables on and it still made the same noise. The truck didn’t even turn on. What I do know is that the truck runs fine because the day before it was driving smooth. The noise only occurs when I try turning on the truck. I'm thinking it could be my starter or my alternator but I'm not sure. Can you please tell me what could be wrong and if it is my starter, how hard is it to install it, how much the parts cost, and were is the part located on the truck.

Answer:  It sounds like the battery jumper were not connected properly, but if they were here are some things to check.  Load test the battery.  Check that the battery cable connections are clean.  Check for 12 volts to starter solenoid with the key in the start position.   These things should be checked first then the ignition switch, starter and starter solenoid.  One of these may be faulty.  The starter is located on the lower right side of the engine by the flywheel.

Question: 1999 Dodge Dakota mileage: 91,000.  Had to replace my starter 8 times since it was new.  Any suggestions as to what may be causing this failure.  No shop has been able to give me an answer.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Answer:  All rebuilt starters are not the same. Trust me when I tell you this, I have had so many starter come back on a hook, it is ridiculous. That's why ONLY use factory rebuilt starters from eAutoPartStore.com. They offer factory rebuilt starters from AC Delco, MotorCraft, Bosch, Nippondenso and more. The cheap starters come with a lifetime warranty, you will be changing them the rest of your life.

Question: 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier mileage: 82,000. My daughter’s starter keeps going out. She has had four replaced with a few months. Someone said it could be the flywheel is this an expensive part and hard to replace?

Answer:  All rebuilt starters are not the same. Trust me when I tell you this, I have had so many starter come back on a hook, it is ridiculous. That's why ONLY use factory rebuilt starters from eAutoPartStore.com. They offer factory rebuilt starters from AC Delco, MotorCraft, Bosch, Nippondenso and more. The cheap starters come with a lifetime warranty, you will be changing them the rest of your life.

Question: 2002 Honda Accord, miles: 90,000 To remove & replace the starter motor from this vehicle, the "Haynes" manual says that in some cases the exhaust pipes or the frame cross member may need to be removed to get access to the starter. In extreme cases, the motor mounts may even have to be unbolted and the engine raised slightly!!! Could you advise me which would be the easiest choice, bearing in mind my tools are limited sockets and wrenches) and I am concerned about stripping / breaking the exhaust pipe bolts if I try to turn them!

Answer: Try spraying the exhaust pipe bolts with WD-40 or something similar. Let it soak overnight. The "Haynes" manual is giving you a choice of how to remove the starter. Do what is easier for you.

Repair Topics / No Starter-1 / No Starter-2

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