1998 Pontiac Grand Am Starter

WILLIAM.TRAVISJR

MEMBER
1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
142,000 MILES

How do you know if your starter went out. I went to get a jump from a friend the first time and the car came right on. I went for a jump this morning and the car wouldn't turn over. Ever since we got it, the car would have a hard time trying to start. We already put a brand new battery in it, a rebuilt altenator, replace a cylinder, and rebuilt the transmission. Is the starter bad?

1 Reply

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, I'd make sure the battery has a full charge and connections are good. Also check the charging system. When the problem occurs, turn the key to crank, watch the lites, any lites, see if the lites react, when trying to crank. If no reaction from lites, they should blink--go out-- something, if no reaction, check for open circuit to the starter. Some of the national brand autostores will check the starter for free. Yeah, you have to take it off and take it to them. With the starter off, sometimes, I lay it on the ground, hook jumper cables up to it, just to see if the gear will kick out and the starter spins. That is no a load test, not conclusive.